The flooded city of Kekova. The uninhabited island of Kekova is an ancient sunken city in Turkey. The pleasure from the boat trip was extraordinary, and emotions went off scale

Kekova is rarely indicated on the map of Turkey. This island is so small that it is depicted only on topographic plans of the city of Kasha. The dimensions of this piece of land are simply tiny - only four and a half square kilometers. At the same time, it is one of the most visited islands in Turkey by tourists. What is it that attracts them so much? Our article will talk about this. We will tell you many secrets: how to get to Kekova, where to stay and what to see. But in order to see what you should, you need to know the history of this place. Without this, the island will remain in your memory as a rock dried by the sun and salt spray, like other uninhabited ones. We will tell you the story of Kekova, which ended in tragedy in the seventh century AD. But it was the earthquake that destroyed the ancient city (and noticeably “cut up” the area of ​​the island) that gave archaeologists such rich material for research.

How to get to Kekova

Many yacht excursions in Turkey (reviews on this issue are unanimous) include a visit to this island in their program. And a lone traveler is better off joining one of them. It is better that the excursion is not on an ordinary yacht or boat, but on a boat with a transparent bottom. They go here from Kemer. Ships also depart from other resorts on the Mediterranean Riviera of Turkey to Kekova. Sometimes trips are dedicated only to this island. But most often the excursion is called “Demre - Mira - Kekova” and involves visiting all these places in turn. The cost depends on the point of departure. For example, from Goynuk it costs about 25 dollars. But reviews claim that the sea excursion is worth the money. This price includes lunch and snorkel equipment rental. Separately, you need to pay extra for entrance to the Church of St. Nicholas in Myra. The island administratively belongs to the Turkish city of Kas. Ferries to the island run from May to October. Travel time is an hour, cost is 85 liras for a round trip.

Where to stay

The city of Dolihiste is also not on the map of Turkey. Officially, the island is considered uninhabited. However, in the summer (or rather, while the ferry is running), small family pensions with a gorgeous view from the windows operate on Kekova. They are very expensive and cater mainly to divers. Scuba diving in the waters of Kekova Island has been prohibited since 1990, when the ruins of the ancient sunken city were recognized as a state-protected area. But now this ban has been partially lifted. Swimming, and especially snorkeling with scuba gear, is only prohibited directly in the ruins of a sunken city. But in the vicinity of the island there are many other equally interesting dive sites. In addition to ancient cities, here you can swim on the decks and cabins of the Iberian Coast ship that sank in 2003.

Kekova Island (Türkiye): history

What happened here, why did the residents of the city, taking only the most necessary things, leave the island in such a hurry? To do this you need to know the history of these places. On the northern side of the island was the city of Dolikhiste, founded by the Lycians. It was an advanced civilization. The city had two- and even three-story houses, baths, water collection tanks, and sewers. During the time of Alexander the Great, the residents of Dolikhiste supported the young king. Archaeologists have established that at first only military men lived on the island and in the city. After all, Dolikhiste was a fortified port. The garrison families lived on a nearby island.

But after the campaigns of Alexander the Great, Dolikhiste turned into a full-fledged city. Beautiful buildings decorated with mosaics began to be built. The first cataclysm occurred in the second century AD. The city was significantly damaged, and part of the island went under water. But life did not stop here. Although the heyday is over. Christianity even came to the city. At the southern tip of the island of Kekova you can see the preserved apse of a Romanesque basilica. But in the seventh century the city came to an end. A new earthquake, even more powerful, completely destroyed Dolihiste. Residents fled in fear and never returned to their homes.

Further history of Dolihiste

For some time, the depopulated island was inhabited by Hermites - Christian hermits. The island officially belonged to Byzantium. But between the first and second earthquakes, the city had already lost its former significance. In addition, these lands became the target of attack by the Arabs.

And in the 13th century the island was conquered by the Turks. They named him Karavola. But no one inhabited the ruins of the half-submerged city. This was another gift to archaeologists. After all, when new houses are built on ancient ruins (often from old building materials), it is then difficult to determine how it all looked in ancient times. And here a small piece of land passed along with the mainland coast from one state to another, but neither side of the military conflicts really used it.

After World War I, the island of Kekova and its sunken city became the subject of disputes between Turkey and Italy. According to the 1932 Convention, this territory was ceded to the first state.

Modern Kekova Island

It’s strange, but archaeologists have not yet studied these places sufficiently. Excavations were carried out, but somehow sporadically. To protect these priceless artifacts from “black archaeologists,” the Turkish government banned swimming and diving there. But this limitation applies only to a small area. However, the sunken city of Dolihiste cannot be called such in the full sense of the word. Some part of it, albeit insignificant, rises above the surface of the water. The island after the earthquake is a narrow strip of land stretching for seven kilometers. The highest point is 188 meters above sea level. But many attractions were under water.

What can you see today

Some cities are very ancient. But you won’t notice this under the asphalt of the new boulevards. Is it worth going somewhere to see the sign “There was a medieval rampart here” or a modern reconstruction of an ancient gate? But this is not the case with Kekova Island! The sunken city appears before the eyes of amazed tourists in all its ancient splendor.

Dolihiste occupied a small mountain. Therefore, its upper part did not sink, but still rises above the surface of the water. Street-staircases go into depth in steps. The sea here is so transparent that you can see all the artifacts resting on the bottom. And the earthquake caused a considerable depth - seven meters near the very shore of the island. A ship with a transparent bottom floats over the main street of the city. She once walked along the side of a hill. You can see baths with washing cabins, ruins of houses and even tiled fragments of amphorae in which residents stored olive oil and wine. Very close to the shore, at shallow depths, you can see the port. The harbor was once protected from storms by a stone breakwater in the shape of the letter L. Sailing over the city, you can see statues, sidewalks, and embankments.

Diving

We mentioned that diving near Dolihiste is strictly prohibited. But this is not the whole island of Kekova (Türkiye). As a result of earthquakes, interesting underwater caves were formed. There are several interesting dive sites here.

When Yves Cousteau was filming his famous series, near Kekova he found the remains of an ancient ship that plied the waters of the Mediterranean Sea back in the 14th century BC. A priceless artifact was raised from the bottom.

But divers have a new object for research - a 72-meter-long ship that sank in 2003. At the dive site The Wall, in addition to interesting marine life, you can see almost complete antique amphorae.

There are many cliffs and caves in Antrum. The most interesting of them is Blue, with many passages and halls filled with a marvelous blue color.

If you drive away from the island of Kekova (Turkey), you will find yourself in the Lighthouse diving site. Here you can also see many amphorae, anchors, and other artifacts from antiquity. Colorful fish, crabs, octopuses and turtles can be seen at sites off the southern tip of the island.

Ancient heritage

The sunken city on Kekova is not the only historical attraction of these regions. On the shore of the mainland, not so far from Dolikhiste, there were other ancient cities: Simena (now the village of Kalekoy), Teimussa (Uchayz) and Aperlai. They survived earthquakes, but from large cities they turned into small villages.

Scientists give Kaleköy seven thousand years. The Lycian necropolis has only partially sunk, and the lids of the tombs of ancient Simene can be seen sticking out above the water. The Roman amphitheater in this city was carved right into the rock. The ruins of a pagan temple have also been preserved. And on the top of the hill rises a Byzantine fortress.

Lycian sarcophagi can be viewed for free in Uchayz. To do this, you need to walk less than a kilometer east from the village.

In the bay of the city of Kasha there is another ancient city - the once powerful Aperlai. Since then, the ruins of the fortress, walls, columns and sarcophagi, decorated with inscriptions and bas-reliefs, have reached us. The Byzantine Empire left its mark here in the form of the ruins of a church and three square watchtowers.

Kekova Island is one of the most beautiful places in Turkey. People come here for excursions among ancient ruins and amazing diving. Read more in our review.

Reviews from tourists about the excursion

Positive Negative

Among the advantages of a trip to the island of Kekova, tourists highlight the following points:

• Real ruins of old cities. An ideal place for history buffs;
• Very beautiful nature: bays, cliffs and crystal clear sea;
• If you go with a guide, you can learn many interesting facts.

• The sunken city from a yacht does not look as impressive as it is sometimes said;
• During the high season there are a lot of people, so sometimes the charm disappears;
• If it’s too hot, it can be difficult to enjoy a walk. It is better to stock up on water and sun protection in advance.

On the map of Turkey

Kekova Island is located in the province of Antalya, approximately 120 km from the resort of the same name. The nearest large settlement is the city of Kas. The area of ​​Kekova is only 4.5 square meters. km. The island is uninhabited. Known for interesting diving and the ruins of ancient cities, much of which is now under water.

Description of the island

The ancient city of Dolicheste is considered the oldest settlement on the island. In the 2nd century, as a result of an earthquake, it was destroyed and partially went under water. For a long time the island was under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. In the 13th century, the entire surrounding territory and the island itself fell under the rule of the Ottomans. For many years after the end of the First World War, the island was a disputed territory between Italy and Turkey. Kekova finally became part of the Turkish Republic only in 1932.

In 1990, the island of Kekova itself and the surrounding area, including the ruins of four ancient cities, received the status of a protected area where human economic activity is prohibited. After some time, the ban on swimming and diving was lifted. Currently, tourists have the opportunity to sail around the island by boat, swim and scuba dive in the adjacent waters. Diving is prohibited only in areas located at the bottom of ancient tombs.

Planning a trip? That way!

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How to get there

There are several ways to get to this place. The nearest international airport is located in Antalya. The distance from the airport to the island is about 120 km. You can get there by car or public transport to the city of Kas. Then take a ferry from Kas or Kalkan. Water transport runs from to. The cost of a round trip is 80-90 Turkish lira. Travel time is about 1 hour.

The most comfortable way is to travel as part of an organized tour. Excursions are offered in many agencies in Antalya, and others. The trip includes a glass bottom boat ride and swimming or diving around the island. Complex excursions are offered, during which tourists visit, in addition to Kekova, other attractions - the cities of Demre and Mira.

Excursions

Attractions

In the northern part of Kekova, the ruins of the ancient city of Dolikhiste, founded by the Lycians, are well preserved. After the earthquake it was destroyed and most of it sank under water. The remains of ancient structures can now be seen both on the shore and under water. Many houses were well preserved and completely submerged under water.

There are several other interesting attractions in the Kekova area. Opposite the island on the mainland are the villages of Kalekey and Uchayz.

Kalekey is now a small village. People first settled here almost 7 thousand years ago. The remains of the Lycian city of Simena are located right on the territory of the modern village of Kalekei. On the hill you can see the remains of a Byzantine fortress, which later came under Ottoman control. At the foot of the walls there are ruins of an ancient temple. To the east of the fortification there is a necropolis with characteristic Lycian tombs resembling houses. On the territory of the fortress there is an ancient amphitheater carved into the rock. This is one of the smallest surviving ancient theaters.

The ruins are preserved on the shore and descend directly into the sea. Fragments of houses and other structures are often found on the personal plots of local residents.

In addition to the sunken ruins of ancient Dolikhiste, Uchagyz Koyu Bay is very picturesque. Here tourists explore the remains of Lycian tombs protruding from the water. Nearby is the settlement of Uchayz. Previously, the ancient Teimussa was located here. Lycian burials are well preserved. The ruins are located 800 meters east of the village of Uchayz. It is easy to get to Theimoussa on foot, along the picturesque Lycian path.

To the west of Uchayz are the remains of the Lycian city of Aperlai. It is located near the ancient Turkish port of Syucak. The remains of the fortress walls, ruins of temples, and fragments of columns are well preserved. Not far from the fortification are the ruins of a Byzantine church. The Lycian tombs have survived to this day in good condition. They are decorated with stone carvings and bas-reliefs.

Sunken City

There are no inhabitants and no tourist infrastructure on the island. Kekova is visited only for tourist purposes as part of day excursions. The most interesting entertainment -

Total 94 photos

This material about travel in the vicinity of Lycian Myra will be the final one. We visited with you the ancient Lycian city of Myra, and the impressive. The final chord in this delightful journey was the mysterious island of Kekova and its sunken ancient rock cities. The largest and most impressive city on the island of Kekova in terms of its impact on the traveler is the ancient Dolihiste. There is very little information about this city. We only know that it was built in the 5th century BC. and was destroyed in the 2nd century AD. by a strong earthquake and subsequently partially plunged into the depths of the sea... Below the cut are numerous photos of Dolihiste through the prism of the Steps of Time, other flooded cities, the breathtaking azure of the Mediterranean Sea and my impressions of a sea voyage deep into the Time and Spaces of History. I must say that this particular trip turned out to be the strongest impression for me of all the places I visited in ancient Lycia that day.

To fully immerse yourself in the historical context, you should first understand where this island of Kekova is located and what its original connection is with the large ancient Lycian city of Myra. You can't do without a map here. Since in my first post about the Church of St. Nicholas the Pleasant I already posted maps of ancient Lycia and the location of Myra on the Mediterranean coast, let’s take a closer look at the position of the island of Kekova and ancient Myra on a satellite map. Red numbers 1 - the historical center of the Lycian city of Myra with the Church of St. Nicholas is indicated, 2 - Lycian rock tombs and a Greco-Roman amphitheater in the foothills, 3 - the ancient port of Andriake, 4 - Kekova island, 5 - the ancient rock city of Dolikhiste, 6 - the village of Kalekoy (ancient city of Simena), 7 - the village of Uchayz (ancient cities of Aperlai and Teimussy). Now we will understand more clearly all the historical vicissitudes that took place in this area, which I will briefly talk about
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Google Map

And, since we are a little distracted by technical details, I will immediately say that this story will differ from the previous ones in that I tried to post as many photos of the sunken Dolihiste as possible, because just sailing past these mysterious shores and examining each photo in detail, perspective and getting used to every detail of the coast of the island, you can intuitively join in its deep historical context and hear the fascinating story that Dolihiste himself can tell us...)

Lycian city of Myra ( 1,2 ) was located in a valley about 5 km away. from the coast. The seaport of Myra in ancient times was the port of Andriake ( 4 ). Until the 2nd century AD the port was very large, and its harbor stretched towards Mira another 1.5-2 km to the east. After a strong earthquake in these places in the 2nd century AD. The Kekova peninsula sank significantly into the sea and became islands, and Andriake Bay, on the contrary, rose, became shallow and lost its key significance as the once large city port of Myra. Numerous warehouse buildings of ancient and Roman times, built near the harbor, turned out to be far from the sea and, obviously, were partially destroyed by this earthquake and gradually abandoned due to the inconvenience of using them.

Going on a sea voyage to the island of Kekova from Mira, we just passed the ancient sea harbor “by land”, heading to the seaside village of Andriake. A small mountain river still flows into this small bay. If you drive in the direction of Andriake Bay, the river will be on the right, and the ancient warehouse buildings are especially noticeable on the left side on a small hilly hillock. It is possible to get to these ancient barns; there is a road there, but such a route was not included in our already busy program. Yes, and in general, in these places, wherever you look - “everywhere and everywhere” there are remnants of the past and glorious history of the Mediterranean.
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Quite quickly we found ourselves in the once ancient port of Andriake. Nowadays there are many pleasure tourist boats, yachts, including those waiting for and occasional clients...)
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And finally, our sea voyage began...
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We are leaving the bay of ancient Andriake..., the mysterious island of Kekova awaits us ahead.
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Soon, the island of Kekova and the exciting shores of these ancient places appear before us, like ghosts of the past.
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We come across pleasure yachts, and this is exactly what we are on now...
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The history of these places is long and very ancient. Since ancient times, Kekova Bay has been considered the best in this part of the Mediterranean. Pirates lived here, and later small ancient cities appeared. The inhabitants were mainly engaged in the production of olive oil and fruit cultivation. Here, somewhere, there were ancient quarries. The local stone was well processed and ideal for construction.
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A walk along the Mediterranean Sea in itself is already an event. The sea air, saturated with freshness and romance, the bright southern sun and the breathtaking beauty and color of the Mediterranean water evoked enthusiastic exclamations from all those present on the yacht...
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Here is a separate photo of this water, but it still cannot convey this wonderful deep and transparent turquoise-lapis lazuli color of this Mediterranean sea water.
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We are approaching the island of Kekova, it is to the left...
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This is the northern part of the island of Kekova. The light was uncomfortable, backlit, so there is some haze in the photo...
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As these mysterious shores approached, the tourists on the yacht gradually calmed down, everyone began to be overcome by an involuntary, inexorable feeling of Discovery and the approach of Revelation... Here, a little further, is the ancient sunken city of Delichiste. In these places there was, as I already mentioned, a very convenient harbor. The largest city was Dolikhiste.
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The appearance of Delichiste happened unexpectedly, solemnly and even theatrically. Traces of a person's long-standing presence began to silently and powerfully appear...
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The ancient buildings of Delichiste appeared like shaky figures of ghosts from the other world...
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The yacht easily glided along the emerald surface of coastal Delichiste, there was a rustling silence on the ship, the faces of all travelers were concentrated and collected... I recommend, like this, to look at your travel companions at a similar moment, when this sunken city appears in front of you - everyone present will show yourself in these first moments in a special and characteristic way...
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Dolikhiste appeared before me in all its amazing, eternal beauty... In fact, it is a rock city. Its origins are dated to the 5th century BC, but its archaic building structures suggest that it existed here a very long time ago, perhaps in the 5th century BC. it was just reoccupied...
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And here are the black goats, a little to the right, against the background of a processed rock.
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The ruins of Dolihiste slowly floated past...
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Stone steps carved into the rocks that once went down to the sea...
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Traces of ancient buildings...
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Portals of the ancient city...
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Gradually, these pictures of the past, miraculously surviving here, began to penetrate my being. It’s hard to convey, but when you float by and look at the remains of a once large and noisy city, look after look, gradually, Dolihiste filled me with its unique charm. The city came to life, and as if it began to whisper something about itself to me, responding to the call to reveal its long and sad history and soul, troubled by centuries...
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The city began to speak, solemnly, but with slight sadness, about its past triumph, about the life that once seethed and filled it, its battles, victories, defeats, the work of ordinary people, their joys and sorrows, and the eternal peace of being in oblivion...
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It was in this place that the tallest and largest buildings of Dolihiste were located.
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The stepped rock structures with masonry appear to have been two or three stories high.
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For some reason, just looking at this photo, the word “Troy” involuntarily appeared in my mind...
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A bright trace left by the roof of a house that disappeared in a thousand-year history...
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We are approaching the ancient port of Dolihiste...
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Under the clear sea water, flooded embankments and numerous buildings of the Dolikhiste harbor begin to be discerned...
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My thoughts and immersion in the depths of history were interrupted by the unexpected appearance of an oncoming pleasure yacht...
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This, by the way, is a view of the opposite shore of Kekova Bay, since we’re distracted)
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The ancient harbor was approaching...
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It was this photo that I made the title photo and called “Steps of Time”...
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The water is very clear. In the silence under the water, the ancient ship pier of Dolihiste slowly appeared...
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A fascinating sight!...
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Here it is, in all its glory...
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There were viewing windows on the yat to view the bottom, but I was not able to remove amphoras or something similar, although I could guess something in the depths. But it’s still wonderful!...
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Dolihiste harbor is small, spacious and comfortable. Clear water makes it easy to look into the submerged depths...
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Somewhere here was the Dolihiste shipyard.
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A yellow poster installed on the shore informs that the territory of Kekova Island is protected and it is prohibited for ships to approach the shore.
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So we examined the flooded ancient city of Dolikhiste. After its harbor, the lifeless rocks of Kekova go further... The yacht began to turn to the right, 180 degrees...
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In front of us is the ancient harbor of Kekova. As you remember, there were four ancient cities here... there, on the right, behind the hills, on the mainland, in a cozy harbor, is the modern village of Uchayz, where the cities of Aperlai and Teimussa once flourished. there are also a lot of interesting things there, but unfortunately they didn’t take us there...)
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Directly opposite Dolihiste are the submerged ruins of the ancient city of Simena, modern Kiliköy.
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Here the flooded buildings resemble Dolichiste, which we have already seen.
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According to some information, these are the remains of ancient baths.
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And in this bay there is the famous Lycian sarcophagus, located in the sea...
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Basic moments

Kekova Island is considered a historical and natural monument. Travel through it is included in all yacht tours along the Turkish coast. Tourists from around the world come here to admire the beauty of nature and see the ruins of ancient Lycian cities.

Today the island of Kekova is uninhabited and inhabited only by feral goats. There are three settlements on the mainland: Uçagız, Kaleköy and Aperlai. In ancient times, powerful Lycian cities stood on the site of two of them. On the northern part of the island, the ruins of the ancient city of Dolikhiste are preserved. They are found on the shore and in the sea, at shallow depths.

Day tours are available to explore the ruins. The journey around the island lasts about an hour. The route runs along the coast – places where ancient ruins have been preserved. You shouldn’t count on shops or entertainment centers: there simply aren’t any here.

Due to the protected status, overnight stays on Kekova Island are prohibited. Tourists who plan to spend several days exploring the ancient ruins are accommodated in villages on the mainland. They have several good hotels and private guest houses at their disposal. True, hosts are more willing to accommodate travelers without children for the night. Families with children need to make accommodation arrangements in advance.

History of Kekova Island

People have inhabited the island of Kekova from very early times. In the 2nd century AD, the city of Dolikhiste located here was destroyed by a strong earthquake. As a result of the natural disaster, city buildings were partially submerged and the island became uninhabited.

At first, Byzantium ruled the island of Kekova. Then it was attacked by the Arabs, and in the 13th century by the Turks. When the territory was captured by the Ottomans, several villages appeared near the island on the mainland. After World War I, Kekova became the subject of a dispute between Turkey and Italy. During this period, people lived here who were engaged in cutting down trees. In 1932, the territory finally ceded to Turkey.

In 1990, the island of Kekova itself and the large area of ​​water around it were declared a closed, protected zone. The sites that border the villages of Uçagız and Kaleköy, as well as the four ancient cities of Dolihiste, Aperlai, Simenu and Teimussu, were initially completely closed to diving and visiting, but the ban was later partially lifted.

Surprisingly, no large-scale underwater archaeological research has been carried out near the island. Only the team of Jacques-Yves Cousteau managed to find the remains of an ancient ship off the island of Kekova, which sailed along the coast back in 1300 BC.

Attractions

Most tourists come to the island as part of excursion groups. The popular tour “Demre - Mira - Kekova” is sold in all excursion agencies located on the Anatolian coast of Turkey. During the 10-hour journey, tourists visit the church and tomb of St. Nicholas, the ancient ruins of Myra and take a boat trip to the island of Kekova.

The excursion program includes getting to know the history of these places, visiting ancient ruins, snorkeling and diving. The sea water here is very clear, so you can clearly see the bottom, schools of colorful fish and other inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea. Experienced divers are offered special programs for underwater excursions and hunting.

In order to admire the flooded ruins of an ancient settlement, it is not necessary to wear scuba gear. Most travelers explore the sights of Kekova Island from boats that have a transparent bottom. At a depth of up to 6 meters, remains of stone columns, cobbled streets, marble staircases, port shipyards, several amphorae and fragments of majestic statues are visible. All of them have been under water since the famous earthquake.

It should be borne in mind that you can see all this beauty only in a calm, when the sea is calm, and the glass-bottomed boat must move slowly. From ordinary boats that make waves, it is almost impossible to see ancient ruins in the water.

Many tourists come to the island on yachts and limit themselves to walking around Kekova. On the site of the former city, ruins of houses and public buildings have been preserved. Here you can see Lycian tombs with roofs, the foundations of an early Christian church and a stone staircase leading to the sea. They make a strong impression on travelers who find themselves near ancient ruins for the first time. To prevent guests of the island from taking away pieces of the ruins as “mementoes,” enterprising locals lay out fragments of stones and clay shards on the shore especially for tourists.

How to get there

The nearest airport where planes fly from Russia is in Antalya. It is about 120 kilometers from the island of Kekova. Tourists travel from Antalya to Kas by regular buses. A ferry runs from the city pier to Kekova Island. It runs from May to October. The journey to the island takes an hour and the fare is 35 Turkish lira for a round trip.

Some travelers prefer to rent a boat in coastal villages and sail to Kekova with a guide. Traveling by boat is more interesting than traveling on a ferry filled with tourists, and does not cost much more.

The ancient city of Demre (Mira) in Turkey amazes the imagination of an unprepared tourist. Indeed, in the generally accepted view, Turkey is a place of lazy relaxation on the beaches under the scorching sun with accommodation in all-inclusive hotels. And many are surprised when they come here and see the juxtaposition of modern buildings with the dilapidated ruins of ancient worlds.

In contact with

Location on the map of Turkey

The undoubted center of the ancient history of Turkey is the city of Demre, which is located in the province of Antalya. Wikipedia says that until 2005 it was called Calais, and its population is about 16,000 people.

Now this is a modern place, located on the territory of the once famous city of Mira, the remains of which are located nearby, or rather, 3 kilometers from here.

The foundation of Myra dates back to the 5th century BC, when this place provided convenient access to the sea along the Miros River. At that time it was the capital of the Lycian kingdom. Thanks to this fact, the city was prosperous and developed. But in the 7th century there was an attack by the Arabs, and then a great flood that cut off the path to the sea. After this, Mira's glorious life came to an end. The only thing that attracted and kept people here was the proximity of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Now there is almost nothing left here.

Kekova Island

It is important to know: all the ruins that have survived are united by an open-air museum. The most interesting attractions remain the local amphitheater, which still hosts concerts and performances, as well as the Lycian tombs and the remains of the acropolis.

Kekova is a small Turkish island with an area of ​​only 4.5 square kilometers in the Mediterranean Sea, where no one lives permanently. It is a narrow strip of land, only 7 kilometers long.

These 3 places are united by the very popular route “Demre - Mira - Kekova” among tourists in Turkey, which allows you to get acquainted with the ancient sights of this area. (If you search the Internet for information about the island of Kekova, do not confuse it with the city of Kekava - it is located in Latvia)

Description

The modern city of Demre itself is located 5 kilometers from the sea, and a little closer to the sea coast are the remains of the most ancient city - Mira.

At that time, the small Lycian kingdom was located here, and the city was its capital for some time. During this period, the most famous local attractions were built - the necropolis and the amphitheater.

A little later, the territory began to belong to the Roman Empire, and the area became Christian.

The official symbol of the town is Santa Claus or Father Frost - he is present on all signs, posters, etc.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

In the very center of the city is the famous Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was erected in the 4th century immediately after the death of St. Nicholas, where he was buried. Inside, to this day, there is a marble sarcophagus where the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker were kept until 1087.

Later the relics were stolen and taken to Europe. The structure was destroyed many times due to earthquakes, floods, wars, etc. New walls were erected on the site of the ruins. The last time this place was restored was in the 19th century with funds allocated by the Russian Empire.

The latest construction gave the church the shape of a basilica, which was originally supposed to be covered with a dome, but this was later replaced with vaults. The central room is decorated with frescoes painted in the 11th-12th centuries. Their remains can still be seen today.

The building itself is now in a dilapidated state, so for the safety of tourists it was surrounded by iron structures. There is nothing else inside. Now the church building serves as a museum, and all its exhibits are falling off frescoes.

Famous landmarks

There is a lot to see in this area, but the main stream of tourists comes here precisely because of the famous Lycian necropolis - the “city of the dead” and the huge amphitheater.

Lycian Tombs in Turkey

The famous Lycian Tombs are rock-cut tombs. On the territory of Antalya, these are the most ancient burials, dating back to the 6th century BC. Mostly rich and famous people were buried here, because the construction of a 2-room tomb in rock was not cheap at all.

In total, there are more than 1000 such burials in this territory. All tombs in their shape and structure resemble ordinary houses of that time.

They are often equipped with porticoes, columns, windows and doors. The crypts are decorated with inscriptions carved into stone patterns. With their help, you can determine what the deceased did during his lifetime, who he was related to, etc.

The oldest amphitheater

Very close to the burial site and tombs there is an ancient amphitheater, which is very well preserved. Its size is amazing and second only to .

Its capacity was about 10,000 spectators. It itself is a semicircular structure, which makes it similar to Greco-Roman buildings. 35 rows in the form of a staircase are lined with huge hewn stones. Near the stage there are seats for rich and famous guests - they are real stone chairs.

The location of the amphitheater has suffered from floods and earthquakes many times throughout its history. The most severe destruction occurred in the 12th century, when the amphitheater was completely covered by river sediments, which lasted for a long time. But nevertheless, it was cleared and was able to be restored with the greatest reliability.

The most interesting fact about this place is that the birthplace of the famous Santa Claus is located here in this hot tropical climate. This is where the tradition came from - bringing gifts and gifts for Christmas.

And it all started like this. Many, many centuries ago, poor townspeople began to find sweets and gifts for children under the doors of their shacks every year on Christmas morning.

One day, they decided to find out where it all comes from. Setting up an ambush, they caught the man in the cape. When they saw him, they were very surprised - he turned out to be the well-known and respected Saint Nicholas here. His name in Latin sounded like Santa Nicolaus. This real person became the prototype of Santa Claus.

Kekova district in Turkey

The island itself is unremarkable in its location, but it is impossible to call it ordinary, because in the coastal waters there are as many as 4 sunken ancient cities - Teimousse, Dolihiste, Aperlai and Simena.

Wikipedia about the island of Kekova says, for example, that the ancient flooded city of Dolichiste has been on the seabed since the 2nd century BC, when it went under water during an earthquake. Some of the ruins are located on the coast. A boat excursion to this island is most valued, since under the water you can see the remains of ancient cities - houses, remains of stone streets and temples.

Due to the historical significance of these places, mass tourism is prohibited here. Organized sea excursions on yachts show a very small part of the sunken cities. You can see something beyond the excursion program by exploring the island on your own.

Surprisingly, these places are not very well explored. It is unknown how many secrets and mysteries could be discovered through the study of such accessible ruins of antiquity.

Kekova is a whole area where, in addition to underwater attractions, you can visit the beautiful Burch Bay and swim in the sea. And not far away there is a village called Uchagyz, where streets that are thousands of years old have been preserved, and local residents still walk along them.

Demre (Mira) – Kekova – photo

A visit to the excursion Demre (Mira) - Kekova will show the familiar Turkish coast from a new side, revealing the ancient history of these places. Memories of this place can be embodied in photographs. But the only drawback of the season is the crowds.

Experienced travelers advise visiting historical sights not during the high season, which lasts from May to October, but during the unpopular winter months. This will allow you to view and explore the heritage of the Turkish coast without rushing, as well as take high-quality photographs without crowds of tourists.