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Info
about the Lycian Coast!
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INSIGHT TRAVEL AGENCY
KAS, ANTALYA - TURKEY
TEL : 90 242 836 3692
FAX : 90 242 836 3694
info@tour-turkey.com
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LYCIAN COAST: KAS – KEKOVA - SIMENA
REGION |
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Simena |
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The
Kekova region was declared a protected area
in 1990 to preserve the natural, cultural
and geographic richness of Kekova Island and
surrounding coast. The area is 260 km² and
is managed by the Ministry of the
Environment. The name "Kekova" is Turkish
for "plain of thyme" and describes the
region encompassing the island of Kekova,
the villages of Kaleköy and Ucagiz and the
three ancient towns of Simena, Teimussa and
Tersane (meaning "shipyard", as its bay was
the site of an ancient shipyard, with mostly
Byzantine ruins). Both Simena and Teimussa
have a large necropolis. Teimussa is now the
village of Ucagiz (Three river mouths). In
ancient times Simena was a small fishing
village and was later an outpost of the
Knights of Rhodes (formerly of St. John).
Simena was once divided into two parts; an
island and a coastal part of the mainland.
On the mainland the fishing village of
Kalekoy ("Castle Village") stands today, its
buildings mingling with ancient and medieval
structures. |
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The top
of the village is dominated by a
well-preserved castle built by the Knights
of Rhodes partially upon ancient Lycian
foundations. Inside the castle is the
smallest amphitheatre of Lycia. At the
eastern end of the village is a Lycian
necropolis with a cluster of some very nice
sarcophagi overlooking the sea and
surrounded by ancient olive trees. Near the
harbour of Kalekoy is another sarcophagus,
popping up from the water. Across the bay,
along the island are the half-submerged
ruins of the residential part of Simena,
caused by the downward shift of land by the
terrible earthquakes of the 2nd century AD.
Half of the houses are submerged and
staircases descend into the water.
Foundations of buildings and the ancient
harbor are also seen below the sea.
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When departing on
a Blue Cruise from Kas to the Kekova area, one sails
past Uluburn (the famous site of an ancient
shipwreck) and sets course for Kekova, first
encountering Sicak Peninsul with the ancient city of
Aperlai. At the end of this peninsula are two
islands, Toprak and Kara. The Island of Kekova
stretches out from here. If you are coming by land
you exit the Finike – Kas highway where the sign
says ‘Kekova” and drive 19 km to the village of
Ucagiz. In this same area are a number of other
ancient cities such as Apollonia in Kilicli Village
and Tyberissos in Cevreli Village. The main site of
Tyberissos is on the two summits of the hill. The
northern is the higher and was evidently the
acropolis, while as for the southern hill, at its
southern end, standing up to 1.5 meters in height,
is a small church or chapel, little over 6 meters
long, which has replaced a Doric temple. As usual,
the majority of the tombs in Tyberissos are
sarcophagi, but there are two rock tombs of
house-type, both with inscriptions in Lycian. One of
these is near the top of the hill, at the head of a
valley close to the Plain of Tirmisin, and carries a
relief of two figures, man and woman, the style
suggesting a date around 400 B.C. If you continue
from Cevreli Village toward Kapakli Village you will
arrive at a place called Enisdibi about 4 km down
the road and find the ancient city of Istlada above
Gokkaya Bay. |
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The town
of Kas is the best base to discover the area
of Kekova and Simena, due to its proximity,
and offers good accommodation, many local
restaurants and low key nightlife. The
beaches of Buyuk Cakil just outside town and
Kucuk Cakil right in town are fine for
swimming with blue flag status. Kas is full
of interesting souvenir shops, has a
charming harbor with guletsand small fishing
boats. Kas, once known as Antiphellos, also
has remains of a Hellenistic temple,
theater, and rock tombs |
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carved into the
steep mountains, which are the backdrop of the town.
A day trip to the island of Meis (Kastellorizo) may
be arranged from Kas. |
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