9 Kayakoy and Xanthos to Kas

Off to Turquoise Coast and south towards Kas.

Fethiye first and some more rock tombs !

Kayakoy and the ruins of the Greek town that was deserted in 1923 after its Greek Orthodox inhabitants were 'returned' to Greece in one of the Great Population Exchanges between Greece and Turkey / sort of ethnic cleansing, unsure if there were deaths! It’s a climb and walk to the top , after ten houses , forgettable !
 
Xanthos, the capital of ancient Lycia and once the largest centre in the region. The town had a turbulent past from the Persians and the Romans - it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lycian people's fierce independence. This was the Lycian capital .

Xanthos dates back to the 8th century BC

The 6th century BC brought invaders - the Persians - and the Xanthians, made a choice. gathered women, children, and treasures in the acropolis and set it ablaze, and then fought to the last man.

Remarkably, the city survived, rebuilt, and thrived once more.

There are plenty of striking ruins - the theatre, the Xanthian Obelisk, the Pillar Tomb, and the Harpy Tomb.

Beautiful marble reliefs at the pinnacle of the Harpy Tomb show sirens stealing the souls of the deceased. (They original marbles are in the British Museum)

The adjacent Pillar Tomb is a special kind of tomb that is not seen anywhere else in Lycia. It combines two tombs: a pillar tomb and a Lycian sarcophagus.

The acropolis was the vibrant center of ancient Xanthos. This was the hub of Lycian life
Though largely in ruins, there is the outline of the agora (the marketplace), the temples, and private homes.

Next to the acropolis is a classic Roman theatre stands which was built in the 2nd century AD to replace an earlier Hellenistic version destroyed by an earthquake.

The large Byzantine basilica, a testament to Xanthos’ Christian era.

The Necropolis is a well-preserved Lycian sarcophagi, pillar tombs, and rock tombs are tucked away amidst vegetation and olive trees- so
much so that one of our party loses her way back !

 
Patara Beach and the ruins of ancient Patara, the birthplace of Saint Nicholas. It’s impressive and very large and open ! The Roman gate with the aqueduct feeder!
A basilica that leads down a long avenue to the old harbour , now silted!
The ancient lighthouse has been rebuilt along with the bouleuterion! The ancient theatre … large is still standing over everything !

Next we wander off to see the famous dunes before a trip up to see the ancient aqueduct process ! It’s high and windy with a great view !

Our final stop after a drive down the coast is Kas, a fishing village on the Lycian coast - we have a drink in its amphitheater as the sun goes down !

A good day - tomorrow is rest day and who knows !Read more