Information About Turkish Coast

Kusadasi: Although the history of Kusadasi is quite old, hardly any traces of early settlement here remain today other that section of a cyclopean wall. Kusadasi means "Bird Island" and the town takes its name from the little island (whose name in Turkish means "Pigeon" or "Dove Island") that is in the harbor and is now connected by a causeway to the shore. Kusadasi is a favorite calling place for yachts and tour vessels with the result that there are many good shopping opportunities to be found.

Didyma (Didim): The Didymaion-the temple to Apollo and its oracle at Didyma was of considerable repute among the ancients. The temple was planned on a much grander scale than the original sanctuary and indeed it was the third largest religious structure in the ancient world. While the temple suffered repeatedly from fires and earthquakes, it sustained the worst damage in an earthquake in 1493. After viewing what is unquestionably one of the most impressive temples of the ancient world, with take our leave with amazement.

Bodrum ( Halikarnassos ): Bodrum, the native land of the famous historian Heredotus, is an important tourism center in Turkey, which attracts attention by reason of its natural beauties, besides its history.

In the year 1000 B.C., those who came here along with the Doric migrations settled in the locality where the fortress stands today and mixed with the native people here. So, the city of Halicarnassos was founded. The most important one of these, is the monumental tomb constructed for Maussollos and his wife Artemisia II. It was one of the 7 wonders of the world. The stones of the monumental tomb which was ruined by an earthquake in the 14th century, were used by the Knights of Rhodes in the construction of the fortress that exists today.

Owing to the fact that Bodrum was founded upon the ancient city of Halicarnassos, not much is left to our day from the ancient city. The theater on the hill belonging to the Hellenistic period have been restored today. The fortress is the city symbol. The Knights of Rhodes had it constructed in the year 1402, and it was reinforced with the Italian, English, German and French towers. It was taken by theTurks in 1523, and it is used as the first and only underwater museum in the world today.

Gulf of Gokava :" The abode of Gods and their favourite worshippers ", according to historian Heredotus. Pine covered coves of Cati, Seven Islands, longoz fiord, English Harbour and Amazon bay.

Cleopatra Island: Ancient Kedrai where Cleopatra and Mark Anthony clandestinely met and where the Romans built a beach for the Egyptian Queen, with fine sand espicially hauled from the Nile.

Knidos: The inhabitants of ancient Knidos were excellent mariners with reputations that rivaled those of the Phoenicians in their seamanship. Threatened by a Persian invasion in 546 B.C., the Knidians sought to defend themselves by cutting a channel through the neck of the peninsula their city was located on, thus turning it into an island. Their plan was thwarted, it is said, by an oracle declaring that if the gods wanted Knidos to be an island they would make it one.

The Knidians interpreted this as meaning the gods opposed their project and so they abandoned it, preferring to submit to Persian rule instead. Ancient Knidos was a city known for its artists, philosophers, and engineers and it grew wealthy through the wine trade.

Marmaris: Surrounded by pine-clad hills, Marmaris is located on the site of ancient Phykos of which nothing at all remains since the modern town sits a top the ruins.

There are however numerous examples of Ottoman architecture from the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent since Marmaris was taken by him as part of his campaign against the island of Rhodes nearby. Among the buildings that may be seen are the castle built in 1521; a caravanserai built in 1545, Tashan, also built in the 16th century; and the Mosque of Ibrahim Agha, dated 1789.

Marmaris is deservedly better known for its natural beauty: the lace-like coastline is embellished with coves and inlets where one may go swimming, diving, or fishing. The sheltered bay is excellent for windsurfing.

Caunos: Remains of a 3000 year old Lycian city with a splendid view and impressive rock tombs. Energetic visitors may like to take the steep and difficult path which leads upwards from the rear of the theatre to the acropolis. Caunos also connected to Dalyan via a canal.

Dalyan: Dalyan is famous for the fish-traps , Iztuzu beach which is a millenia old breeding ground for the "Caretta Caretta sea turtles" , the spas ofKoycegiz and Mud baths .

Gocek: The Gulf of Göcek and its friendly marina is one of the Mediterranean's best sailing spots. Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, its land and seascapes are irresistible. The ruins of Arymaxa, an ancient city at the southern tip of the gulf, lie at the edge of the azure waters. The ideal choice for first timers. Only 25 minutes from Dalaman airport.

Fethiye:The popular resort Fethiye boasts an important marina at the head of a beautiful bay strewn with islands. A hill crowned by the ruins of the crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the little port. Above the town numerous Lycian rock tombs, reproducing the facades ancient buildings, were cut into the cliff face. The Tomb of Amyntas, which probably dates from the fourth century B.C. is the most remarkable.

Oludeniz (Dead Sea): A lagoon near Fethiye, a national reserve. It is a " must see ". 

Xantos – Letoon: The two major cities of the Lycian Leauge, well preserved remains of typical Greco-Roman cities.

Patara: Patara was famed for its oracle of Apollo and is also the birth place of Saint Nicholas. 8 Km. Long beach with fine sand near Kalkan. Romantic location of the ruins of a Lycian city between sand hills.

Kas: The ancient Habesos and Antiphellos. The remains of a hellenistic theater are worth seeing, as a splendid example of a Lycian sarcophagus which has become the symbol of Kas. Former fishermen’s village. Today Turkey’s most fashinable seaside town with a suitable yacht harbour.

Myra: Myra was one of the earliest Lycian cities. Saint Nicholas ( c. 300- 350 AD ) was born in Patara and became the bishop of the Christian church of Myra.

St. Nicholas was buried in a tomb outside the city of Myra over which a chapel was erected subsequently. In the 6 th century it was replaced by a large church. Today, several relics of Saint Nicholas, such as the fragments of his jawbone and skull, are still kept in the Antalya Archeological Museum.

Today Myra’s ruins consist mainly of a theater, tombs and the remains of an acropolis on the hilltop. The rest of the city has not yet been excavated and may hold many unexpected secrets.

Kekova (Sunken City): A sunken city was formed through the submerge of ancient cities probably due to earthquakes. The Tersane (shipyard ) can still be seen on the shore of Kekova. Both the sunken city and the Tersane, which have never been properly excavated, are thought to be from either the Lycian or Byzantine period. Althought you can reach the area by land, it is easier and more pleasant to go there via the sea route.

Olympos: A picturesque ancient city in a national reserve. The natural wonder of the " burning rocks" (Chimaira).You can reach the area by land or sea.

 
Phaselis: An outstanding harbour town of accient times, directly accessible from the sea. According to the legend, Phaselis was founded by colonists from Rhodes in 690 BC

The monumental gate of the city, built of gray – white marble blocks, was one of the buildings erected in honor of Hadrian’s visit and bears a dedication to him.

Kemer: Kemer is a shoppers dream –come – true. One of the most important touristic towns of Turkey, with a large marina.

   
Antalya: Located in the region called Pamphylia , was founded by Attalus II, King of Pergamum in the 2nd century BC. Kaleici, one of the most popular part of Antalya, has become a center point of attraction and the recent renovation of the old houses, and the small yacht harbor won Antalya an international award for excellence in architecture and preservation. Today, most of the houses have been  turned into small hotels and pensions.