Lycia or Lysia is an ancient region covering the Teke Peninsula of Anatolia. The Lycian Kingdom is a kingdom established in Southwest Anatolia in the 5th century BC. It was located in a part of today’s Muğla, Antalya, Denizli and Burdur provinces. This kingdom fell under the influence of the Persian Empire in the early 5th century BC and became part of the Persian Empire in the middle of the 5th century BC. At the end of the 5th century BC, the Lycian Kingdom came under the influence of the Macedonian Empire.
The Lycian Kingdom has been an important trade center in the Western Anatolia region, as it is located on important trade routes. Various artworks from the Lycian Kingdom are exhibited in museums today. In the Lycian Region of Turkey, there are various Lycian cities from the ancient period. Among these cities, the most important ones are; Xanthos, Patara, Letoon, Myra, Olympos, Phaselis, Rhodiapolis and Termessos. Lycian Cities, which have great economic importance; were used as centers of culture, art and belief. These cities today constitute an important part of Turkey’s tourism sector and attract a great deal of attention from tourists.
The Lycian Way is known as a road built in ancient times, located in the Lycian Region of Antalya province. The Lycian Way was built by the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC and aimed to establish a connection between the important cities in the Lycian Region. The Lycian Way has played an important role in history in terms of trade, tourism and communication. Today, the Lycian Way is used as a place visited for tourism purposes. Cities and ancient cities on this road are visited by tourists.
1- Xanthos Ancient City
Xanthos Ancient City is an ancient city located within the borders of Muğla province, Kaş district, and its history dates back to the 4th century BC. Xanthos Ancient City is known as one of the most important cities of the Lycian Civilization. The ancient city, which was the capital of the Lycian Civilization; It has played an important role in trade, tourism and defense purposes. Xanthos Ancient City was destroyed by the Persian Empire in the 5th century BC, but was later rebuilt in the 4th century BC. The ancient city of Xanthos, besides being a place visited for tourism purposes, is also an important place from an archaeological point of view.
The ruins of this ancient city are being researched by archaeologists and they are trying to learn more about the history of the city. The ruins of the Ancient City of Xanthos are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Other important places of the ancient city include agora (market place), theatre, thermal bath and defensive walls. The theater of this ancient city was restored by the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. The defense walls of Xanthos Ancient City were built to defend the city against attacks in the ancient period.
2- Patara Ancient City
Patara Ancient City was established in the Lycian Region and played an important role as a trade, tourism and port in ancient times. The city is located in Turkey’s Antalya province, on the shore of Fethiye Bay. Patara was used as an important port and trade center in the Lycian Region during the ancient Greek and Roman periods. The city is also significant in relation to ancient Greek mythology, as the city is the birthplace of Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto. Patara Ancient City is under protection by the Turkish National Parks and is open to visitors. In addition to the old Roman structures, there are many archaeological works such as churches, baths, aqueducts and other structures from the ancient world period in the city.
In ancient times, Patara was one of the most important ports of the Lycian Region and was used as the main port of trade ships. The ruins of the city stretch along the coastline. The ancient port of the city is located next to Patara Beach on the coastline. Among the other important places of the Patara Ancient City, there are places such as the ancient theatre, agora (market place), thermal bath, mausoleum of the Lycian King Land and an ancient church. The ruins of the Ancient City of Patara are on the UNESCO World Heritage List today.
3- Letoon Ancient City
It is an ancient city located within the borders of Finike district of Antalya province. Letoon Ancient City has a history dating back to the 3rd century BC and is known as an important city in the Lycian Region. Letoon Ancient City was established in the Lycian Region and played an important role as a belief center in ancient times. In the ancient city, there are temples such as the Temple of Leto, the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Artemis. The ruins of the city are located on a land with water resources within the boundaries of the town of Finike. The ruins of Letoon Ancient City are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
4- Myra Ancient City
It is an ancient city located within the borders of Demre district of Antalya province. Myra Ancient City has a history dating back to the 4th century BC. It is known as an important city in the Lycian Region. The Ancient City played an important role in trade, tourism and port in ancient times. The city, which was used as one of the most important ports of the Lycian Region, became the main port of trade ships. The ruins of the city are located on a land with water resources within the borders of Demre district. Other important places of Myra Ancient City include the Myra Cathedral, theater and agora (market place). The ruins of the Ancient City of Myra are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
5- Olympos Ancient City
Olympos Ancient City It is the most important port city of the period after Phaselis Ancient City, which is located within the borders of Kumluca District to the west of Antalya. The city was located in the Lycian Region during the ancient Greek and Roman periods. The ancient city of Olympos is also related to ancient Greek mythology, because the city is the place where the Olympos Mountain, mentioned in mythology, is named. The ancient city of Olympos played an important role as a trade, tourism and port in the ancient period. The ruins of the city are located on a land with water resources within the boundaries of Kemer district. Other important places of the ancient city of Olympos include the Temple of Olympos, the theater and the agora (market place). The ruins of the Ancient City of Olympos are on the UNESCO World Heritage List today.
6- Phaselis Ancient City
Phaselis Ancient City, located within the borders of Kemer district of Antalya province, has a history dating back to the 4th century BC. The city was located in the Lycian Region during the ancient Greek and Roman periods and was used as an important trade and port center. The ruins of the city are located on a land with water resources within the boundaries of Kemer district. In addition to the old Roman structures, there are many archaeological works such as churches, baths, aqueducts and other structures from the ancient world period in the city.
The legend of the Ancient City of Phaselis includes an important role of the mythological hero Bellerophon. After Bellerophon killed the creature called Chimera, he was threatened with being killed by his own people. Therefore, with the help of Bellerophon, Athena and Apollo, he took refuge in the Ancient City of Phaselis on a mythological horse named Pegasus. The people of the city protected Bellerophon and accepted him as the king of their city. This legend is an indication of the mythological origins of the Ancient City of Phaselis and emphasizes the importance of the city. Today, structures and archaeological artifacts from the ancient Greek and Roman periods can be seen in the city. The ruins of the Ancient City of Phaselis are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
7- Rhodiapolis Ancient City
Rhodiapolis Ancient City is an ancient city located in the Lycian Region and dates back to the 4th century BC. The ruins of the city are located on a land with water resources within the borders of Antalya province, Finike district. The Ancient City was one of the most important ports of the Lycian Region and was used as the main port of trade ships. The ruins of the Rhodiapolis Ancient City are located near the town of Yeşilova, in the Marmaris district of Muğla province today. The ruins include structures and archaeological artifacts from the ancient Greek and Roman periods. In addition to the old Roman structures, there are many archaeological works such as churches, baths, aqueducts and other structures from the ancient world period in the city. The theater of this ancient city was restored by the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. The ruins of the Ancient City of Rhodiapolis are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
8- Termessos Ancient City
Termessos Ancient City, located within the borders of Gündoğmuş district of Antalya province, has a history dating back to the 4th century BC. The Ancient City was established in the Pisidia Region and played an important role in trade, tourism and defense purposes in ancient times. Termessos Ancient City was one of the most important defense places of the Pisidia Region and was frequently attacked. The ruins of the city are located on a land located in a mountainous region within the borders of Gündoğmuş district.
The high hill of Termessos Ancient City provided a great advantage for the defense of the city. The city has suffered very little damage from wars and attacks in ancient times. Therefore, the Ancient City of Termessos is still very well protected and preserved today. In addition to ancient Greek and Roman structures, there are many archaeological artifacts in the city, such as churches, baths, aqueducts and other structures from the ancient world. The ruins of Termessos Ancient City are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
