Turkey's Must-Visit Ancient Cities Part-3
Turkey's Must-Visit Ancient Cities Part-3
Turkey hosts one of the most important ancient cities in the world with its rich history spanning thousands of years. From Lycia to Lydia, from Cappadocia to other regions of Anatolia, there are numerous ancient cities representing unique cultural heritage in every corner of Turkey. These ancient cities are treasures that attract history and archaeology enthusiasts. Welcome to the third part of the series where we list 55 of them.
Kayakoy, one of the authentic settlements of the Teke Peninsula, was actually one of the ancient cities of the Lycian Civilization and was named "Karymlassos." The Lycians founded Telmessos in Fethiye and Karymlassos in the location of Kayakoy.
It is known that the history of the village dates back to around 3000 BC, but the oldest findings date back to the 4th century BC. Imagining the history of the 5,000-year-old village is exciting in itself. Our geographer from Amasya, Strabo, used an expression like "A step mountain is reached. Here is Karymlassos, which is settled in a narrow and deep stream..." for Karymlassos.
Kaunos, located in Koycegiz, Mugla, and situated at the eastern border of the region called Caria in ancient times, is a port city that has been inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 6th century AD. While the rock tombs, which are 2400 years old, are the symbol of the city as you go from the Dalyan Channel to Iztuzu Beach, much more awaits you when you enter the inland. As with many Aegan cities, the filling of the harbor over time and its conversion into a swamp led to the abandonment of Kaunos.
The oldest known history of Kedrai ( Cedrae ) Ancient City dates back to 405 BC, as we learned from Xenephon. The name Kedrai was originally Kedros in the Greek language, and later passed into our language as Cedre/Cedar. Professor Bilge Umar emphasizes in his book "Karia" (pages 182-183) the possibility that the name of the city is related to the same meaning word used in the Carian language. In other words, he mentions that while the name of the city was initially "Kadra" in the Carian language, it was later used as Kadrai in Greek, and then as Kedrai.
There is not much information about the history of the city. Kedrai was initially a city of the Carian people. Over time, it came under the control of the Greeks, Rhodians, Romans, Byzantines, and finally the Ottomans. During the Turkish period, the island called Sehiroglu was eventually turned into Sedir.
Kibyra, located in Burdur and known as one of the cities of the Pisidia Region, is also known as the city of gladiators. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, Kibyra attracts attention, especially with the Medusa Mosaic foundd in the odeon. Additionally, with its 10,0000-seat stadium, 9,000-seat theater, agora, baths, streets, and earthenware pipes, Kibyra, where settlement continued from 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD, is a must-see.
Knidos is a city that is as difficult to reach as it is to leave, we can say. Of course, this beauty is closely related not only to the ancient ruins of city but also to its location and the unique view created by its location.
There is a narrow connection between the peninsula where Knidos Ancient City is located and the mainland. The part of this settlement towards the mainland is called Tekir, while the other part is called Deve Boynu ( Kap Krio ) due to its shape.
Especially known as a cultural and artistic city, the most curious finds of Knidos include the Knidos Lion, found the British Museum, and the Naked Aphrodite statue, which has still not been found but of which copies exist in some museums.
Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List 1988 as Xanthos and Letoon, which is considered the Holy Area of Lycia, the city is one of the largest cities of Lycia, one of the six cities with 3 voting rights in the Lycian Union, and an honorable city that went to death for independence. Even the aforementioned is enough to explain why Xanthos is so important. Although the column tomb monuments that everyone imagines when it comes to Xanthos are there, the city has much more than what is currently found.
Kultepe, located about 20 km from Kayseri and covering an area of 550x450 m, is a mound with a histor of about 4,000 years. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, Kultepe, with its ancient history, provides important information about the commercial and economic activities of era, especially as one of the important centers of the Assyrian Trading Colonies Period. During the Assyrian period, Kultepe is called Kanesh, and for this reason, it is also known as the Kanesh Ancient City.
Laodikeia Ancient City is located 6 km north of Denizli. Situated on a high hill ( 285 meters altitude ) in the middle of the Lykos ( Curuksu ) Valley, which includes villages such as Eskihisar, Goncalı, and Bozburun, belonging to Denizli province.
The ancient writer Vitruvius attributed the softness of the sheep's wool to the foul-smelling water drunk by sheep in the region. It is mentioned by ancient writers that soft raven-colored fabrics were produced from these wools and sold to the world. Tunics called "Trimita" were woven from these fabrics in Laodikeia and offered to the Roman market. Ancient writers, especially Strabo, praise the garment. Because of this garment, which became a world-famous brand at that time, the city was called "Trimitaria" among the people. Laodikeia Ancient City earned a considerable fortune by producing the most beatiful textile products of the ancient period in the Lykos ( Curuksu ) Valley.
31.Letoon Ancient City, Mugla
Letoon Ancient City, or it would be more correct to say Letoon Sacred Area. Letoon is known as the religious center of the world famous Lycian civilization of Anatolia. Letoon is one of the cities of Lycia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Letoon, along with its neighbor Xanthos, which is very close, was included in this list in 1988.
According to the lates results of the excavations carried out in the city it is understood that Letoon's history dates back to ancient times. At least Letoon, serving as a sacred place since the 2nd millenium BC, takes on this feature from very ancient times. It is also thought that the cult of sacred water, or water cult, has Hittite origins.
Limyra, one of the symbol names of Central Lycia and Limyra, also has a heroon, or a monument, dedicatedr to it. Limyra, which is also noteworthy with Tebursseli and Xuwata tombs, can be said to have some of the finest examples of the Beylik era Lycia. The city, which contains serious work from different periods such as walls, necropolis, theater, heroon, Caesar's monument, bishop's palace and church, had 2 voting rights in the Lycian Union period. It took its palace in history as a bishopric belonging to the Myra Metropolis with Christianity.
Lyrbe was one of the leading settlement of ancient Pamphylia Region. It is only one of dozens of ancient settlements establisted in the impassable and extraordinary geography of the Taurus Mountains.
Although we don't know much about Lyrbe, not seeing any Seljuk or Ottoman-era works while wandering the city is almost a sign that the Turks did not settle here. This mountain city was probably abandoned over time, despite its elegance and beauty, nestled in the bosom the Taurus Mountains.
We have reached the end of the third part of our series where we list ancient cities. Don't forget to share your likes.
