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

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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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.

The island of Kekova in Turkey is deservedly called the “pearl of the Mediterranean”. It is small - only 4.5 square meters. km, but there are always a lot of tourists here. This island is included in all yachting routes in Turkey; there is excellent diving here, and one of the most popular activities is glass-bottom boat trips.

In fact, the island belongs to Turkey, but numerous archaeological finds tell us that it is still Greece. On this small piece of land there are ruins of four ancient cities - Dolikhiste, Aperlai, Teimoussa and Simena.

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How to get there

Uchayz

Uchayz - also known as Teimussa ("Three Mouths") - is a small village, the same age as Simena. It was built on the ruins of an ancient city. The sarcophagi of the Lycian period are perfectly preserved. They can be viewed completely free of charge by walking about 800 meters from the village of Uchayz to the east along the Lycian trail.

In the coastal waters of the island there are ruins of the ancient cities of Aperlai, Simena, Kekova and Teimoussa, which sank as a result of an earthquake, underwater caves and protected bays.

Aperlai

Aperlai is another Lycian city, now in ruins, located west of Uçaız near the port of Sicak, formerly one of Turkey's largest ports on the Gulf of Kas. Today, only the ancient ruins of the once powerful fortress of Aperlai have survived - ancient sarcophagi, remains of city walls, a fortress and ancient columns. In the north-west of the fortress, the ruins of a Byzantine church are noteworthy. Three square watchtowers rise above the northern city walls. Inside the fortress there are ruins of a small Byzantine chapel. The necropolis of the city is interesting for its Lycian sarcophagi, decorated with bas-reliefs and inscriptions. Uchayz, Kekova

Diving in Kekova

In the coastal waters of the island there are ruins of the ancient cities of Aperlai, Simena, Kekova and Teimoussa, which sank as a result of an earthquake, underwater caves and protected bays. The coastline of the island of Kekova is dotted with antique objects - here, at a depth of 5-6 m, you can see marble columns, statues, stone stairs, sidewalks, walls of houses, an embankment and the remains of an ancient port, and in some places the lids of Lycian sarcophagi rise above the surface of the sea.

There are several dive sites near the island, among which one can highlight the site with the 72-meter-long Iberian Coast ship that sank in 2003.

The Wall dive site is located 40 minutes from the pier on the south side of the island. Here, stingrays live on the sandy seabed, barracudas, moray eels, crabs, ruffes, groupers are found, and you can also see antique amphorae. Another Antrum site is notable for its cliff and cave, the bottom of which is formed by interesting rock formations, soft and hard corals.

On the northern side of the island of Kekova lie the ruins of the ancient city of Dolikhiste, destroyed by an earthquake, partially submerged under water.

The Blue Cave site gets its name from the blue color that fills the cave, which branches into many rooms and passages. The Lighthouse site is located 25 minutes from the island of Kekova and is notable for its numerous amphorae and anchors, and marine life includes eels, parrot fish, and stingrays.

The seabed of the Curve port site, located on the southern side of Kekova Island (about 40 minutes from the pier), is decorated with a beautiful reef. And The Bay site, located on the south side of Kekova Island (about 30 minutes sailing from the pier), is famous for its rock formations and diversity of marine life. Crabs, lobsters, moray eels and octopuses live here.

Small uninhabited Kekova Island (Dolihiste) located in the Mediterranean Sea, 106 km southwest of, next to.

This hilly piece of land, overgrown with bushes and withered grass, is known for the fact that in ancient times, on its territory was the thriving city of Kekova, which went under water as a result of a natural disaster. Near the sunken city, as well as on the mainland and on neighboring islands, there are the ruins of ancient settlements: Alerpai and Dolikhiste.

On the map

Sunken City

To understand why this deserted island is so famous, you should take a short excursion into its history.

Founding and first death

This island was once a peninsula, and on its territory, surrounded by coniferous and citrus forests, was the Lycian port city of Dolikhiste, which was founded several hundred years BC. Greek colonists. During Roman rule, Dolichiste experienced its period of greatest prosperity. Sea trade with neighboring provinces, Mediterranean peoples and merchants of the Great Silk Road, as well as sending grain to Rome, brought him great income.

Interesting! It is quite possible that over time an even larger city would have arisen on Kekova, but nature decreed otherwise. In the 2nd century AD A strong earthquake erupted in the region, the mighty Taurus Mountains moved, the peninsula broke away from the mainland and turned into an island, and Dolichiste and several cities nearby went under water like the mythical Atlantis.

Few residents managed to survive the cataclysm. The survivors had to flee their drowning homes, leaving behind all the property their ancestors had acquired through centuries of trade. That is why Kekova is a real paradise for archaeologists.

Rebirth and final demise

During the Eastern Roman Empire the city was partially restored. But the weakening of Byzantium and constant Arab raids forced the local population to leave the settlement. So Kekova ended up abandoned, and traces of civilization were almost erased by storms, new earthquakes and other natural influences.

Nowadays

After the First World War and until 1932 the island belonged to the Italians for some time, who cut down the entire forest on its territory. Then Kekova went back to the Turks, who in 1990 organized a “specially protected area” on its territory.

Important! Diving and archaeological research cannot be done there without government permission. The ruins of the city can only be viewed from boats, boats and special yachts with a glass floor at the bottom. You can also walk around the island.

List of objects on the island

Among the ruins of the ancient city there are a number of objects that are especially well preserved:

  • foundations of public buildings and shipyards, residential buildings and dozens of amphorae on the seabed or semi-submerged;
  • Lycian tombs with arched roofs on the shore and under water;
  • ruins of an early Christian church;
  • the remains of a staircase going under water;
  • several buildings for various purposes scattered on the shore and in some parts of the island.

Most of the time the waters around the island remain high degree of transparency, which gives a high-quality overview of the seabed and the ruins on it.

How to get there on your own?

A hundred kilometers from the island is Antalya, with the largest international airport in southern Turkey, which can be reached by cheap direct flights from many Russian cities.

Taxi and transfers

It is convenient to order taxis and transfers on Kiwitaxi.ru - this is an online system for searching for taxis and booking individual transfers. Pros:

  • fixed cost
  • meeting with nameplate
  • 24/7 support

Once in Antalya you should proceed as follows:

  • get from the Airport to the Bus Station (Otogar) of Antalya by bus No. 660 for - 5 liras, or by the Havas tourist shuttle for - 10 liras;
  • At the bus station, buy a bus ticket to Demre for $10-15 (travel time 2 hours).

Once in Demre you can do the following:

  • We take a taxi at a price of $20 to the village of Uchagyz (Uchayz) 10 km west of Demre, where we book a boat excursion to Kekova. The cost of the excursion varies depending on the duration, the number of points on the route and the type of vehicle (motorboat, tourist boat, canoe, yacht, etc.). Prices - from 5 to 50 $;
  • in Demre we book a sea excursion at a price from 15 to 50 $.

Advice! If you plan to get to Kekova from airports or resorts in the west or southwest of Turkey, it is recommended to go to the city of Kas, 10 km west of the island. There you can take a cheap boat excursion to the sunken city and back.

Where to stay?

To travel to Kekova, it is best to stay in the cities of Demre or Kas. There are several dozen 2-3* hotels operating there.

Hotel prices

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Andriake Beach Club Demre

The only 4 star hotel in the area. It features a large outdoor pool with bar and lounge area, a private stretch of beach by the sea, a buffet restaurant and a spa.

Appart Demre Dufa Bungollow (Demre)

3* class bungalow hotel with comfortable wooden houses, restaurant and garden. Accommodation prices are very low.

Kekova Fish House Pension (Uchagyz)

Mini-hotel 3* class located next to the yacht pier. Famous for its fish restaurant and pleasant surroundings. Travelers visiting Kekova during a 1-3 day tour prefer to spend the night here.

Diving in Kekova

Diving in Kekova was allowed only a few years ago and only in those places around the island where there are no historical buildings + special permission from the government, as we wrote above.

You can order a diving tour from tour operators in Demre, Uchagiz and Kas at a price starting from $45. Also, a diving tour can be purchased in other Turkish resort cities, but much more expensive (the price will include transfer, food and accommodation).

Lycian city of Myra

2 km north from the center of Demre are the ruins of the ancient city of Myra, which was founded in the 5th century BC. During the Lycian state, he was so rich and famous that he received the right to mint his own coins. For some time it was even the capital of Lycia.

Interesting! After the disappearance of Lycia, Myra belonged to the Roman Empire, during which it reached its greatest power, then to Byzantium, and after its fall to the Seljuks and Ottomans. The last two nations captured the city in the 7th century AD, after which it quickly fell into decay and the local residents abandoned it. In the end, the local Miros River, during an unprecedented flood, flooded the remains of the ancient city and buried them under a layer of mud.

In the 20th century, excavations were carried out on the site of Mira and an open-air museum was organized, where you can look at the following objects:

  • ruins of the acropolis;
  • tombs of the Lycians carved into the rocks;
  • Lycian sarcophagi;
  • an entire amphitheater for 10,000 spectators.

The museum is open daily from 8:30 to 19:30 in season and until 17:00 in off-season. Entrance fee is 20 liras. Coordinates: 36.259673, 29.984444.

REFERENCE! At one time, the ancient city was visited by such legendary figures as Emperor Hadrian and his wife Agripina (statues in their honor can still be found on the ruins of the Roman port in Andriyaka), as well as St. Nicholas the Wonderworker himself.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Mira reached its greatest development under the Romans. Already in the 4th century AD. the city grew so large that it gained the right to receive its own bishop. The first of the bishops was Nicholas the Wonderworker.

He served and was subsequently buried on the territory of the church of the same name, which has been well preserved to this day, but does not function for its intended purpose, but works as a museum. The relics of the Saint were moved to Italy, but the sarcophagus where they were buried remained in place.

Inside the church you can see Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, a real bishop's throne, ancient icons and some church utensils from the times of early Christianity.

Opening hours are daily from 8:30 to 19:30 in season and 17:00 in off-season. Coordinates 36.245014, 29.984957. Entrance price - 20 liras.

Excursion Mira-Kekova

The famous Demre-Mira-Kekova excursion can be booked at the offices of any travel agency in Turkey and at hotels, especially in Antalya and resorts in the south and southwest of the country.

Exciting excursions for vacationers and travelers in 350 cities around the world: Tripster.ru is a service of unusual excursions from local residents and guides who can tell you in an interesting and exciting way about the most interesting things in their cities.

The approximate cost of such a tour from Antalya is from $90. Duration of the tour is 1-3 days.

The excursion includes the following services:

  • visiting the ruins of Myra, the Roman port of Andriyaka, the oracle of Apollo in Sura and the island of Kekova;
  • sea ​​excursion to the island;
  • hotel accommodation;
  • swimming on local beaches and walking around Kekova;
  • Breakfast lunch and dinner;
  • transfer there and back.

Reviews: tourists speak about the excursion with restraint, noting that it will be of interest to those who are interested in studying ancient monuments and the history of Christianity. For others, a visit to Mira Kekova may seem boring.

(Turkish: Kekova island; English: Kekova island)

Candidate for the UNESCO List

Opening hours: daily, around the clock, however, it is not recommended to visit the island in the dark.

How to get there: Kekova Island can only be reached by water. To do this, you first need to get to the city of Kas. From May to October, a ferry runs from the city of Kas to the island of Kekova (travel time is about 1 hour). You can also book a boat excursion in the local villages of Uchayz (aka Teimeussa) or Kalkan. Yacht cruises to Kekova are organized from almost anywhere on the Antalya coast.

Kekova Island is a small Turkish island in the Mediterranean Sea, near the city of Kas. The length of the coastline of the island of Kekova is only 19 km, the height above sea level in the central part of the island is 188 meters, the area of ​​the island is 4.5 square meters. km. The island has not had a permanent population since approximately 1850.

The name Kekova comes from the Luwian language and previously sounded like “Kavakuva”, which meant “Homeland of the goat”, from which we can conclude that there was a cult of the goat on the island of Kekova, and the island, from an early time, was the homeland of sacred animals, providing living space and a sacred place for their breeding. Here, to this day, goats of all stripes graze, and in large numbers. Many believe that locals bring them here for grazing.

Kekova Island is a real treasure trove for archaeologists. The shores of this long, narrow island are dotted with archaeological remains of antiquity. But, as a result of tectonic movements that led to the rise of the Western Taurus mountains, the ancient cities of the island sank under water.


The history of this area began long before our era. For many years, the bay of Kekova Island was considered the best bay.


The island was repeatedly attacked by pirates who created their own flotilla here. Over time, this territory began to be developed by civilians who were engaged in growing olives and fruits. It is also known that there were once quarries in these places - the local stone is quite soft and can be easily processed.


The northern part of the island still preserves the ruins of the ancient city of Dolikhiste, part of which remained under water after earthquakes. The strongest earthquakes that occurred at that time allowed some part of the island to go under water, and with it most of the city. The local population left this land.


Now the island looks deserted and abandoned, but once upon a time, life was seething here. The island was closely connected with other settlements in the region - the ancient cities of Simena and Tameoussa. In Kekova Bay, in ancient times, there was a shipyard, somewhere in the north-west of the island of Kekova. The town of Dolikhiste itself did not perish immediately after the natural disaster; for some time, it continued to exist as part of the Byzantine Empire.


In Byzantine times, this island was under siege by the Arabs, and already in the 13th century this territory was conquered by the Turks. At one time, the island of Kekova became the cause of a great dispute between the Turks and Italians, the latter had great views on Kekova. But, according to the 1932 Convention between Italy and Turkey, the island of Kekova remained owned by Turkey.


Now on the island, in its northern part, you can see ruined portals, steps, traces of destroyed piers and streets.


Through the amazingly clear water you can see the ruins of ancient buildings of the 4th-5th centuries AD - stone stairs, sidewalks, house walls, embankment.


Sailing on a yacht or pleasure boat, you have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the majestic ruins. Of great interest are the remains of former underground rooms, connecting walls and stairs, as well as later ruins built on small stone blocks of the ancient city of Dolikhiste.


Not far from the island of Kekova, in the very sea, there is the famous Lycian sarcophagus, which looks like an inverted boat - the main historical attraction.


And the greatest pride of this area is nature. The crystal clear sea, numerous bays and lagoons, amazing caves - all this provides the opportunity to sit on the shore for hours and admire this beauty.


Today, these places have become a real paradise for tourists. Kekova Island holds a history of events witnessed by silent landmarks.

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