The Red Tower, one of the unique examples of the medieval Mediterranean defense structure dating from the 13th century, was built by the Seljuk ruler Alaeddin Keykubat I by the master builder Ebu Ali Reha el Kettani from Aleppo to protect the port. It protects the shipyard and Alanya Castle against possible attacks from the sea. The Red Tower has attracted attention with its appearance, both today and in the past, and has been the subject of many books. Evliya Çelebi, a 17th century traveler, stated that “There is a solid octagonal tower on the sea side of Alanya Castle, this tower could hold two thousand (2000) people during the siege, and the second doorman living here had forty (40) soldiers.”
Built on bedrock on a sloping ground, the structure is 33 m shorter in the east and 3 m shorter in the west. Properly cut and glued rectangular limestone was used in the lower body walls, and classical pillars and red bricks were used in the upper parts. There is the inscription “Thank God” on the north wall of the building, a four-line inscription written in the name of Alaeddin Keykubat 10 m above the ground and stating that its construction was in April 1226, and another inscription on the south wall.