Side, one of the oldest cities in Turkey, dates back to the seventh century BC. The city was a very important port, so it was conquered many times. The fact that the city was constantly in danger forced the locals to build fortress walls that completely surrounded the city both on the land and sea sides. The towers and fortress walls that on the land side have remained in good condition, despite the fact that earthquakes are not uncommon earthquakes are not uncommon in this area. But the fortifications on the sea side, unfortunately, the fortifications on the sea side are in much poorer condition. The gate at the eastern end of the walls was, in ancient times were the entrance gate. Immediately behind them and outside the walls were three niches of a monumental spring, a most beautiful facade, and in front of it a basin for the water.
The walls were erected in the 2nd century BC. They served to defend and protect the city from outside enemies and after many battles they were repeatedly they had to be rebuilt. That's why they're made of heterogeneous stones rubble from the Hellenistic, Byzantine and Roman periods. The walls were equipped with loopholes and turrets to repel attacks. The walls surrounding the city, situated on a peninsula, together with the inner walls of the city, stretch for six kilometres. The height of the walls in the north-east of the city is ten metres. The width of the walls near the sea reaches three metres in some parts. On the walls of the city thirteen towers (some are semicircular and the rest are square) were built for observation and defence.
