We wanted to visit ancient Myra, one of the most important cities of Lycia and rented a car to drive East along the coast. In 2005 the place was renamed to Demre to resemble the name of the Demre river, the source of the fertile soil. When looking at Demre in Google Earth you see one big silver patch caused by the reflection of the greenhouses.
Demre is the fruit and vegetable basket for Antalya province. The villages of Demre grow pomegranates and citrus fruits and a large variety of fruits and vegetables all year round in greenhouses.
The majority of people living in Myra were Christian Greeks. In 1923 this majority was deported to Greece as part of the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The abandoned Greek villages in the region are a striking reminder of this exodus. See our visit to Kayakoy.
The ruins of the Lycian and Roman town are mostly covered by 4 to 9 meters alluvial silts from the river and surrounding mountains. Let’s have a look at the sites that are excavated, starting with the Roman theater.
The ocean necropolis (city of the deaths) to the W of the theater is designed as a hill side city with narrow pathways and stairs and the tombs resemble small temples. There is nothing to be seen inside these tombs anymore.
The riverside necropolis, to the East of the Theater and East of the Acropolis is less frequented because it is more difficult to get to. Although this necropolis is not as impressive from the outside, it is actually more interesting since there are a few reliefs and paintings still visible inside some of the tombs.
Next is a visit to the Church of Saint Nicholas.
Nicholas is not from Spain as we are made to believe in the Netherlands, but he was born in Patara, the capital of Lycia and present day Gelemis, in the late 270 AD and is of Greek descent. He became bischop of Myra and built a reputation with the miracles he performed. One of those miracles (the most eery one) was the resurrection of three children, who had been murdered and pickled in brine by a butcher planning to sell them as pork during a famine. He took responsibility for the protection of children, seamen, travelers and the poor. He died on Dec 6, 343 in Myra where he was buried. His death is celebrated every year as Saint Nicholas holiday.
Canonised after his death Nicholas became patron saint of Greece and Russia and he ranks amongst the most important saints in orthodox christianity. Many churches in port cities are built dedicated to him.
Touristic Kaleköy (literally castle village) or ancient Simena is a small village facing Kekova island. It is popular with yotti’s because of the abundant and well protected anchorages
Who would built a sarcophagus in the water? Well……….nobody did. Simena is also known as “the sunken city” and large parts of the area sank under water after a few earthquakes.
Türkiye is situated on the fault-line where the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, resulting in significant earthquakes, tsunamis and vertical displacement. Many of the ancient cities we visit were damaged or destroyed by earthquakes especially around 500 – 600 AD. The cities were then abandoned because they could no longer be defended or the costs for reconstruction was too high.
From Kas we slowly sail back to Marmaris with a few more stops along the way, but that is for a next post. Thank you again for making it this far. Warm regards Liza and Frits.