Excursion to the historical places of Demre-Mira-Kekova, Turkey - “A bright, rich excursion to the historical places of the ancient state of Lycia! Temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, sunken city on Kekova Island, Lycian tombs, Roman amphitheater! And that's not all

Sunken cities. From the Black Sea to Bermuda Triangle Beletsky Alexander

Sunken city of Kekova, Türkiye

Kekova is the name of a small Turkish island near Demre in the Antalya province on the Turkish Mediterranean. It is located in front of the villages of Kalekoy (Simena) and Uchayz (Teimiousa). It has an area of 4.5 km2 and is uninhabited.

The island of Kekova is a real archaeologist's dream; so much interesting archaeological material has accumulated here over many centuries that it has not been possible to collect it all until now. The cities located here suffered the fate of the mythical Atlantis. Tectonic movements caused the earth to move, causing the Western Taurus Mountains to rise and some surrounding cities to be under water. People had to flee from here, taking only the most necessary things from their homes, which is why modern archaeologists were left with such a rich ancient layer.

Warm sea waves, washing the shores, run into the ruins of cities and Lycian tombs in the shape of an inverted boat, which stand in the water and represent the eternal symbol of this shore. Kekova Island is the main destination on yachting routes. Visible through the water column, flooded in the 2nd century. BC e. the city makes a lasting impression on tourists. On the banks, the ancient fortress, towering above Calais, competes for the attention of tourists with a theater, ruins of fortress walls and the remains of ancient baths.

In Kekova Bay, more ancient burials of the Lycians are flooded - stone sarcophagi in the shape of a boat facing the sunrise. For funerals, the body was folded into the position of a fetus in the womb, and a coin was inserted into the deceased’s mouth - payment to the ferryman Charon for travel to kingdom of the dead. A hole was cut out in the lid of the sarcophagus, through which the same eagle would take the soul to heaven. The boat is an unofficial symbol of Lycia, because the main occupations of this people were navigation and trade, in which the Turks excel to this day.

The Lycian state existed in Turkey between the 2nd millennium BC. e. and IV century AD e. and left greatest number ancient monuments. Lycia (translated as “land of light”) received its name from its neighbors - the Anatolians. The Lycians' own language has not yet been deciphered. It is only known that these people mastered the technologies of writing, navigation, various crafts and money circulation. By the way, their more advanced, in our opinion, contemporaries - the Greek and Egyptian civilizations - introduced money much later.

The end of Lycia, alas, is sad: after the fall of Troy, on whose side the inhabitants of this country fought, the Hittites and ancient Persians (by the way, both of them are the ancestors of today’s Turks) surrounded Lycia. In order not to surrender to the enemy, the Lycians committed mass mystical self-immolation, finally leaving messages for their descendants that have not yet been solved.

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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. Nearest major locality- 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. 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!
We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help you save money while preparing for your trip.

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 -

Kekova is a sunken city on the southern coast of Turkey. Located next to the modern city of Demre. The city was founded by the Lycians a thousand years BC. In ancient times, Kekova was known as Dolihiste. Dolichiste sank as a result of a strong earthquake in the 2nd century BC. The bottom sank several meters and the coast of the city went under water. This is how the island of Kekova appeared. Nowadays, this sunken city is also called the island - Kekova. The remains of the sunken city can be seen not only underwater, but also on the coast of the island. That's where we went.

Helpful information

How to get to Kekova on your own

First, let's try to figure out whether it is possible to explore the sunken city and the island of Kekova on your own or is this only possible as part of an excursion. To explore the island of Kekova on your own, there are 2 options. In the first one, you still need to get to the port in Chalpat Bay and get on the excursion boat yourself. Difficulties may arise here, since boats usually fully book excursion groups and it is not a fact that they will want to take you with them.

The second option is more interesting. First you need to get to the coastal village of Uchagyz. Tourist buses with Europeans definitely go here. How to get here by bus from Demre can be found at the bus station. In general, if you are interested in such places, consider renting a car. It’s not too expensive, and if there are several of you and you plan to actively move around Turkey exploring various attractions, then it will even be profitable. You can rent a car at the airport or at resorts in Turkey inexpensively on the website.

From Uchagyz you will have to walk about 3 kilometers to Simena. In Simena you can rent a kayak. It's best to stay there overnight. Many hotels provide kayaks to their guests free of charge. Do not forget to calculate your strength, the minimum distance from Simena to Kekova is 800 meters. On the western side of the island, in the area opposite Uchagiz, there is a small beach where you can go for a walk around the area and explore the waters of Kekova with the sunken city. Please note that there is heavy traffic of tourist yachts in Kekova Bay, be careful.

Kekova Island on the map of Turkey

You can see where the island of Kekova and the sunken city of Dolihiste are located below on the map of Turkey.

Where to buy an excursion to the island of Kekova

From the tour operator. If you flew to Turkey with a large tour operator, then hotel guides will definitely offer you to purchase excursions. Among others, there will definitely be . The advantage of this option is that you don’t have to bother at all, the main disadvantage is the price. Tour operators usually have the highest prices.
On the street. Everything is simple here. Look for a travel agency on the street and buy a tour there. The disadvantages here will be lost time and communication with the Turks.
The best option where you can buy an excursion to the island of Kekova is the Internet. It is quite reliable and not expensive. For example, excursions in Turkey can be found on the website. You can also find a large selection of excursions around the cities of Turkey.

The closest way to get to the island is from Kemer, the farthest from Alanya.

Port in Chalpat Bay

We decided to go with the excursion option. Departure to Kekova for the sunken city takes place from the pier in Chalpat Bay. We got here from a 10 minute drive.

At 10.30 we were already sailing the expanses of the Mediterranean Sea.

The easiest way to get on the ship is through an organized excursion.

Kekova Bay

The ship sails along Kekova Bay to the west along the coast. On the right we are guarded by the dull, shabby coastal spurs of the Taurus.

Along the shore there are remains of towers.

Kekova. Sunken city of Dolihiste

After 40 minutes we reach the ruins of a sunken city. Kekova is a small Turkish island with an area of 4.5 km. On the northern side of the island are the ruins of the sunken Lycian city of Dolichiste. In the 2nd century AD as a result of an earthquake most of The city was destroyed and went under water. The island of Kekova was formed.

For about 10 minutes we move parallel to the shore of the island, sailing along and over the ruins of Kekova.

Of course, you can’t make out anything in the water, despite the fact that it is quite clean and transparent.

Along the water you can see the remains of buildings, walls, stairs and other structures of Kekova.

Our pleasure boat has a small glass bottom, through which, sailing along Kekova, you can observe the ruins of a sunken city.

But from the sea, near the shore of Kekova, the skeletons of houses of the sunken city of Dolikhiste, or perhaps towers, protrude.

Kaleköy, Kekova. Remains of the ancient city of Simena

On the opposite side of Kekov you can see the remains of a fortress of the Knights Hospitaller, however, the fortress was built back in the Lycian period. This is the city of Simena. It was founded on the shores of the Kekova Bay in the 5th century BC.

Below, on the coast of Simena, is the village of Kalekoy with a small pier.

Kaleköy looks very nice; it would be interesting to go ashore here and climb the ruins of ancient Simena.

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 it's 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

Myself modern city Demre 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 people were buried here. famous people, 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 continued for a long time. But nevertheless, it was cleared and was able to be restored with the greatest reliability.

Most interesting fact The thing about this place is that the birthplace of the well-known Santa Claus is 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 a real man and 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 Dolihiste is located on seabed already from the 2nd century BC, when during an earthquake it went under water. 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 with 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.

I couldn’t go to Turkey and miss this excursion! Demre-Mira-Kekova is one of the most popular excursions. To tell the truth, there are not that many excursions. No matter where you go, there are sights everywhere :))

The first part of the excursion: Kekova island and the sunken ancient city.

The journey from Alanya is very tiring. Departure at 3.20 am. Then they collect tourists from their hotels for two hours. I can't really fall asleep. After this hour there are three ways to Kemer, and after that the road where 5 km of the road is washed out and you have to take a detour of more than 20 km along a serpentine road. It's very beautiful, but I got seasick. True, the road is being restored and they promise to open it by the fall. Now the path is not easy, but it is worth it.

So, masterfully winding through the narrow streets of the Turkish village, our large bus reached the pier, where we boarded a Turkish yacht. We moved to the island of Kekova, where the ruins of the ancient city of Dolihiste, destroyed in the 2nd century AD, are located. A boat trip in itself is very pleasant. You can drink Turkish coffee for extra. fee, or you can just enjoy the sea, the sun and the wind in your face :)) You can move freely around the yacht. The guide can be clearly heard from anywhere.

After 20 minutes we get closer to the island. Kekova is rarely indicated on the map of Turkey. The dimensions of this piece of land are simply tiny - only four and a half square kilometers. 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.

Everything is heavily overgrown with trees, but you can still see the walls of the houses, ditches dug into the stone for water drainage, stairs leading into the underwater kingdom, houses with empty window sockets. The city froze without its inhabitants leaving. You look at all this and hardly understand that people lived here. How did they walk through this city of stone?

The yacht sails so close to the shore that its sunken part is visible. Swimming and going offshore is prohibited. Türkiye protects its attractions from destruction.

Then our yacht headed to the opposite side of the island. On the opposite side there is a whole city-museum of ancient culture in the open air - the ancient city of Simena, a tiny village of several dozen houses and one restored fortress. Above the houses are rock-cut tombs from the Lycian period. There are other yachts along the way. We did not approach the island (((We were given 20 minutes to swim in the open sea, which the people took advantage of.

We admire the sea and return to the bay to the bus.

Second part: The city of Demre and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

This part of the excursion attracted me the most. Nicholas the Wonderworker is my most beloved and revered saint. It's very personal. I simply couldn’t help but come here.

Demre. We got off the bus and plunged into the heat. The heat is just hellish. This is where I felt really bad. We were invited to a church shop to buy silver icons at very high prices. If you don’t have money with you, you can take the icon and pay for it later at the hotel. or send money from home. This is trust. While people were busy shopping, I went to WS to wash myself and come to my senses. I bought tea with lemon and mint in a cafe and realized that life was starting to play with colors again. Let go.

In Turkey, St. Nicholas is considered the prototype of Santa Claus and our Father Frost :)) Greek name Nicholas means “victorious people” from the verb “nikyon” - to win. This name has many analogues in European languages: Nicholas, Miklos (-sh), Klaus, Nikalavsh, Nicole - which is also evidence of the popularity of St. Nicholas in Europe.

Not much is known about the life and work of St. Nicholas. Much historical data about his life was overgrown with legends and fiction, which were spread through oral retelling among people, forming the so-called hagiographic epic, which has little in common with the true life of this saint.

It is known that Saint Nicholas was born in the city of Patara in Lycia (Asia Minor) around 270. He was the only child of wealthy parents, whom they begged from God through long and fervent prayers.

Saint Nicholas was elected bishop in the city of Myra (now Demre) . After for long years His service to God's people, Saint Nicholas died between 345 and 352. His body was buried in Myra, where it rested until 1087. On May 9 of the same year, the saint’s body was transferred to the Italian city of Bari, and on September 29, the solemn consecration of the tomb took place, which was performed by Pope Urban II.

In Bari in the Basilica of St. Nicholas, a document has been preserved that tells how the remains of the saint were transferred from Myra, where the Turks dominated at that time. Two priests bribed the Turks and took out the remains at night, thereby ahead of the Venetian merchants, who also wanted to have them, giving a lot of money for them.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Demre.

The church is located below, we go down the stairs.

And here time stops. You walk with your head up from room to room. You touch the warm walls, step on the smooth stone floor, admire the preserved pieces of frescoes... but there is a lump in your throat, and for some reason you want to cry. Sometimes you suddenly meet your guide and remember that you are on an excursion, and start listening to her story about a wonderful place. They knew how to build for centuries))))

Looking out the window is sacred :))

Turkish cats are still slender and elegant.

Let's go inside. I don’t even know if it would have been better if the Temple had been completely restored? This seems even better to me. Feeling of antiquity and holiness.

In 1957 there were held Scientific research the remains of St. Nicholas. The papal delegate Cardinal Jan Piazza, Cardinal Agazhan, 6 metropolitans and 19 bishops took part in them. According to the results, Saint Nicholas was short in stature - about 167 cm, but was well built, at the time of his death he was about 72-80 years old. His relics emit a fragrant oil - Miro, which is credited with healing powers. Its composition cannot be determined by science.

A fragment of the fresco has survived playing card. One of the versions of the origin of the image of suits on playing cards is religious. According to this version, the maps originate from Christian religion and Christian religious symbols are encoded in them.

1) subversion:
Suits and cards are images of the faces of saints. Previously, it was impossible to depict faces, so faces were depicted with symbols like card hearts and diamonds, etc.

2) subversion:
black suit means death.
red suit means life.
Everything is balanced - life and death.

The red heart is the living, loving heart of Jesus Christ.

The black heart is already a dead heart (in the images there is an additional element similar to an arrow: This is a sharp peak, a spear piercing the heart, from which Jesus Christ died on the cross.
the suit of the spade retained its original meaning (spade, spear).

Nicholas was buried in this sarcophagus. The relics were transferred, but the sarcophagus did not lose its value for believers. The sarcophagus is covered with glass, but there is a small gap between the glass and the floor, where tourists insert icons, crosses and just their hands to touch the shrine.

There is a monument to Nicholas in the courtyard.

Not far from the Temple there is a monument to Nicholas in the image of Santa Claus.

Across the road is a church shop with affordable prices.

The third part of the excursion: the ancient Lycian city of Myra.

Mira is the capital of the ancient state of Lycia, which was once located on the territory of modern Turkey. There is a small market in front of the entrance to the attractions. I bought very tasty ice cream there for 4 lira. About a dollar. It is better to exchange some money in Turkey for lira. It's profitable to pay for something that costs less than a dollar. Turks usually do not give change from the dollar (((

So, in one place, next to each other, we saw an ancient necropolis (Lycian tombs carved into the rocks) and an ancient amphitheater. Naturally, such a juxtaposition of death and celebration seemed strange to us, but it turned out to be simple - these structures were erected in different periods of time. And the Turks’ attitude to this is somewhat simpler than ours.

Ancient Lycian necropolis in Myra.

The tombs are well preserved, considering that Myra was founded in the 5th century. BC. The richer and more noble a person was, the higher on the mountain his tomb was, the closer to God.

I wanted to look inside, but it smelled of some kind of decay... I couldn’t.

Greco-Roman Theater in Myra.

The Roman amphitheater in Myra was built many centuries after the Lycian tombs. There are fragments of stucco molding, columns and other stone valuables everywhere. The amphitheater was built in the 2nd century AD. a certain Lisinus Lanfus with a budget of 10,000 silver denarii. Its diameter is about 110 meters and it could accommodate up to 10 thousand people (according to some sources, up to 15 thousand people). In total, the Mira amphitheater has 35 rows - 29 lower and 6 upper, separated by a diazoma (a semicircular passage between the rows of the ancient theater).

The sizes are great! impressive. It’s simply hard to imagine how something like this could be carved out of stone. Restoration work is underway at the amphitheater. Perhaps all these stones will one day take their place and the amphitheater will appear in yet another at its best. Although now everything is very good.

Well, proof that I was there :))
The way back to the hotel seemed shorter. I really enjoyed the excursion. It's worth seeing once.