TURKEY TRAVEL GUIDE
ANCIENT
CITIES
Dolichiste (Kekova)
Kekova is a heaven on earth which combines magnificence both natural and historical. People who take the famed blue sea voyage tour can easily have access to this place and anchor their yachts in this secure spot. For them, Kekova holds several incredibly beautiful scenes. You can hire a boat from Kas or Kale Çayagzi if you want to go to Kekova from the sea. After Kas, you will pass Uluburun and then see the Siçak Peninsula. There is the ancient city of Aperlai on the Siçak dock and on the end of the peninsula, there are two islands, namely Toprakada and Karaada. This one is followed by Kokova island. This island gives its name to the entire region. This island is partially submerged into the water because of earthquakes throughout history, and it is also known as the “Sunken City.” Across from Kekova island, there is Kaleköy and a little further, a quiet bay at the Üçagiz village, ideal for yachts. On the Fenike-Kas highway, if you follow the road signs to Kekova, after driving 19 kilometers you will find yourself in a true natural wonder, Üçagiz.
History, nature and modern daily life are intermingled in this marvelous piece of land. Aperlai and the sunken city on Siçak Port, Simena in Kaleköy, Theimussa in Üçagiz and Istlada on Gökkaya Bay are very close to each other. Besides these ancient cities on the coast, there is Apollania in Kiliçli and the ancient city of Tyberissos in Çevreli two kilometers away from Üçagiz. Tyberissos is located on top of a 365-meter-high hill facing a valley which was called Tirmisin in olden times. On the lower parts of the hill, there are about a dozen Lycian sarcophagi and Lycian rock tombs that look something like pigeons’ nests. All these were constructed in Hellenistic and Roman times. The ancient city is built on two summits of the hill. On the northern summit, there is the acropolis of the city. On the southern summit, there is a church built like the Temple of Apollo in Doric style, using the stones of the temple. If you go four kilometers from Çevreli to Kapakli, you will reach a place called Inisdibi. On the eastern part of this area, if you walk for 10 minutes to the seaside, you can see the Islada ancient city with its interesting sites. Since the cities here were relatively small, a few of them united to be represented in the Lycian Union. For example, Aperlai, Simena, Apolloia and Isinda were represented in this union. Two kilometers after Çevreli, you will reach Kekova, a heavenly place. This road ends in Üçagiz. If you hire a boat, you might see Simena, the Sunken City in Kaleköy and Aperlia at the Siçak Port.
Kekova Island is a large island in front of the village of Kale, and it gives its name to the region. Boats can dock at Tersane Bay which is at the end of the island. There is the apse of a Byzantine church here. The island is full of remains, but unfortunately we know little about its history because no excavations have been done here. To the right of Tersane Bay, there are shops submerged beneath the water and to its left, the remains of the sunken city also gaze at you from under the water. On the coast, houses are half sunken in the water and their stairs go down beneath the sea. You can even see the foundation of buildings under the sea.
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