The
most important historical remains of the ancient city are the carved rock
tombs to the north and the sarcophagi scattered all around the city. The
most impressive sarcophagus , called Kral Mezarı ( King’s Tomb) by the
locals, is located on the street called Uzuncarsi Caddesi.It dates from
the 4th century B.C and is carved from a single block with eight lines
of script in the Lycian language.The inscription has not been deciphered
to date.The lid of the sarcophagus contains four lion heads, two on each
side.
One of the important ruins in ancient Antiphellos is the Kas Amphitheater
dating from the 1st century B.C. It was repaired in the 2nd century A.D
and seats 4000 people on 26 levels. Its most important feature is that
it is the only Anatolian amphitheatre facing the sea.
Northeast of the amphitheatre is Akdam, a 4th century BC household grave
in Doric style. It is 3.5 meters high, carved into a naturel bolder.There
is acarving of 24 girls holding hands and dancing inside the grave.
On Hastane Caddesi ( Hospital Street ) is a temple made of uniformly hewn
stones. The stones in the foundation are from the Roman period.
Kalkan
(Kalamaki)
Kalkan is 25 km from Kaş resting on the beautiful shores
of a bay. It attracts thousands of tourists each year with its hotels,
pensions, restaurants and shops near the yacht harbour. The City’s architecture
has been preserved. You can take a boat ride to Pigion Sea Cave 2 km from
Kalkan. It takes its name from the many pigions who find refuge there.
Ovagelemis (Patara)
It
is located 41 km from Kaş. The ancient city is on the east shore of
the port. The city and the port extend about 3 km up the valley.The
appearance of the port of Patara has been cauesed by silt deposits brought
by the Xanthos ( Eşen ) Creek. Heredotos is the first person to mention
Patara by name in the extant historical records. Legend says that Nymph
Lykia and Apollon were born there. Its history dates at least to the
5th or 6th centuries BC. The City initially escaped destruction by Alexander
the Great by opening its gates to him, but it was subsequently sacked
by others after his dead. Later it was controlled by Eqypt until it
was seized by Antiochus III in 190 BC. It was ruled by the Romans as
well.
It enterded the Lycia Union in the 2nd century AD and became one of
six cities under Lycia’s rule.These were Patara, Pınara, Xanthos, Olympus,
Myra and Tios. The council meetings of the Lycian Union were held in
Patara, and Patara held the right of using three votes. While under
Roman rule it served as a center of justice and as a naval base.
Patara was also important for Byzantines. Saint Nicholas, who is celebrated
as Santa Claus, was born there. St Paul’s travels took him through Patara,
which later became an episcopal center.
As you enter Patara, you can see Lycian style graves from the Roman
period. At the entrance are the Zafer Takı ( Vıctory Arc ) with three
arches, the underwater Liman ( Port) Church with three naves, and the
ruins of the Hurmalık ( Date Palm Grove) Bath. Excavation 100 meters
ahead revealed the world’s oldest detailed road map which shows distances
between Lycian cities. The Vespasianus Bath was built between 69-79
AD. If you follow the foot path at the edge of the bath, you will arive
at the Patara’s marble street. The street leads to the wide walls of
a Byzantine Castle. There is a Corinthian Temple east of the castle
and a Byzantine church on the west.
The Patara amphitheater built into the hillside dates from the 2nd century
BC. The sections which were under sand were cleaned off revealing the
thaeter which probably held about 10,000 people.
Excavation in Patara continues.
The Patara beach , 18 km long and from 280 – 1500 meters wide , is Turkey’s
largest sandy beach. It is also the breeding ground of the delightful
Caretta Caretta sea turtles, so during the breeding season, their area
is carefully protected by the Ministry of Environment.
There are plenty of hotels, motels, pensions,shops and restaurants serving
delicious local dishes in Patara. The area is also growing as a location
for greenhouses.
Xanthos
Xanthos
is 45 km from Kaş on the east shore of the Eşen Creek in the borders of
Kınık. It was the capital city of the Lycian Union beginning in 168 BC.
In the Lycian language, it is referred to as Arna or Arnna. Ancient historians
report that the Creton hero, Sarpedon founded Xanthos. Findings from the
acropolis indicate that the city’s history extends to the 8th century
BC. The city was a proud sample of Lycian resistance during the siege
by Harpagos of the Persians in 545 BC, but failed to prevent its capture.
After being conquered by Alexander the Great , it was ruled by Seleucids
and Romans. The city saw its greatest development under the Romans who
practically rebuilt the whole cityin 42 BC after the destruction caused
by Brutus. It was then an Imperial Province togather with Pamphylia until
it temporarily gained independence under Nero. In 73-74 AD it again was
annexed into the Province of Lycia – Pamphylia.
The city walls were repaired and expanded under the Byzantines and a monastry
was built at the top of the hill on the north. It was also an episcopal
center. From the end of the 7th century to the beginning of the 10th century,
it was invaded by the Arabs. The gate on the south side dates from the
2nd century BC and faces the Doric Victory Arch of Emporer Vespasianus.
The Lycian acropolis on the southwest side is where the city was first
founded. In the same location re remains from a temple which is beleived
to have been for Artemis, and a Byzantine church. The amphitheter dates
from the 2nd century AD.
Initial excavation of Xanthos was carried out in 1838 by the Englismen
Charles Fellows, and many valuable items such as the Nereid monument,
the Harpy monument, the Payave Sarcophagus and the Lion Tomb were taken
to the British Museum.
Saklıkent
The Natural wonder, Saklıkent ( Hidden City), 60 km from
Kaş, is reached by crossing a 100 meter wooden bridge over the canyon.
Water rushes over the boulders in the river, creating a wonderful view
for the restaurants and trout farms there. 6 km of the 18 km long canyon
are good for hiking.It is an ideal location to escape from the summer
heat and swim in the cool water or relax in the shade of the plane trees.
Felen Yaylası
( Phellos )
The
ancient city of Phellos, which was very important in the 4th century BC,
is located 12 km from Kaş on the Felen Mountain Pasture. With its commanding
view o f the port city, Antiphellos below, its function was to provide
security for the area. One section of the city walls of Phellos is still
standing. There are some 4th century BC sarcophagi and tombs carved out
of roac araoun the city.
Belenli (İsinda)
İsinda is on a hill right next to the village of Belenli, 13 km from
Kaş. İt was a small Lycian city protected with city walls.
Two household graves with reliefs of Lycian writing in the middle of the
acropolis are interesting. There are quite a few rock toms and Lycian
sarcophagi from the Roman period in the city.
Bezirgan
( Pirha )
The ancient city of Pirha is a 20 minutes walk from the
mountain village of Bezirgan at an elevation of 850 meters. There are
many rock tombs facing the sea. The sarcophagi are scattered around the
city. Several of the statues and the reliefs from Pirha are being displayed
in the Antalya Museum.
Sütleğen (Nisa)
Nisa is 15 minutes from the village of Sütleğen, 60 km from Kaş. Ist
ancient Lycian name, as it appears on the wall of the amphitheater, is
Neiseus. the ruins in the city are from the Lycian and roman periods.
Some of the sarcophagi have pictures of spears, shields, women, and men
on the front. There is an agora and a theater in the city. Coins minted
by the Lycian Union which were found in the city are being displayed in
the Antalya Museum.
Gömbe
Göme is 60 km. from Kaş on Elmalı Road. The pine and
cedar trees all along the road hide the villages from view. This mountain
pasture area is know for its fresh, cold water and its apple orchards.
The touristic hotels here serve dishes pepared with delicious local herbs.
This is also the location of the highest mountain in the region, Akdağ
(3024 m). Yeşilgöl and Uçarsu are great locations to escape the heat of
summer and walk in the beautiful natural surrounding and fresh air. The
region is know for its snow ice cream and show sherbet made from mountain
snow.
The
most important historical remains of the ancient city are the carved rock
tombs to the north and the sarcophagi scattered all around the city. The
most impressive sarcophagus , called Kral Mezarı ( King’s Tomb) by the
locals, is located on the street called Uzuncarsi Caddesi.It dates from
the 4th century B.C and is carved from a single block with eight lines
of script in the Lycian language.The inscription has not been deciphered
to date.The lid of the sarcophagus contains four lion heads, two on each
side.
It
is located 41 km from Kaş. The ancient city is on the east shore of
the port. The city and the port extend about 3 km up the valley.The
appearance of the port of Patara has been cauesed by silt deposits brought
by the Xanthos ( Eşen ) Creek. Heredotos is the first person to mention
Patara by name in the extant historical records. Legend says that Nymph
Lykia and Apollon were born there. Its history dates at least to the
5th or 6th centuries BC. The City initially escaped destruction by Alexander
the Great by opening its gates to him, but it was subsequently sacked
by others after his dead. Later it was controlled by Eqypt until it
was seized by Antiochus III in 190 BC. It was ruled by the Romans as
well.
Xanthos
is 45 km from Kaş on the east shore of the Eşen Creek in the borders of
Kınık. It was the capital city of the Lycian Union beginning in 168 BC.
In the Lycian language, it is referred to as Arna or Arnna. Ancient historians
report that the Creton hero, Sarpedon founded Xanthos. Findings from the
acropolis indicate that the city’s history extends to the 8th century
BC. The city was a proud sample of Lycian resistance during the siege
by Harpagos of the Persians in 545 BC, but failed to prevent its capture.
After being conquered by Alexander the Great , it was ruled by Seleucids
and Romans. The city saw its greatest development under the Romans who
practically rebuilt the whole cityin 42 BC after the destruction caused
by Brutus. It was then an Imperial Province togather with Pamphylia until
it temporarily gained independence under Nero. In 73-74 AD it again was
annexed into the Province of Lycia – Pamphylia.
The
ancient city of Phellos, which was very important in the 4th century BC,
is located 12 km from Kaş on the Felen Mountain Pasture. With its commanding
view o f the port city, Antiphellos below, its function was to provide
security for the area. One section of the city walls of Phellos is still
standing. There are some 4th century BC sarcophagi and tombs carved out
of roac araoun the city.
Gömbe