XANTHOS

The ancient Lycian city is located near the village of Kinik on a hillside in a gorgious natural site overlooking the Esen river. Xanthos long remained independent until it was taken by the Persians: according to Herodotus, the warriors of Xanthos showed an extreme bravery killing their wives, children and slaves entrenched in the burning citadel. They themselves fought to death . Only a few families that were away, survived. The city was completly burnt down between 475 and 450 BC. During excavations this was confirmed by a thick layer of ash covering the site. Rebuilt and repopulated, Xanthos, along with Pinara, Patara and other cities, surrendered to Alexander the Great. The city, which came to the hands of Antigonus, was claimed by Ptolemy I who took it from him by force in 309 BC.

In 197 BC, Antiochus III , who wanted to take Lycia from the Ptolemies, made an agreement with the Xanthians, declaring the city free and dedicating it to Leto, Apollo and Artemis. After Antiochus�f defeat at Magnesia of Sypile, and because of their support to her, Rome gave Xanthos to the Rhodians. Complaining that they were treated like slaves, the Xanthians revolted many times so that Rome finally put an end to the Rhodien domination in 167 BC. During the Roman civil wars of the 1st century BC, the Lycians sided with Caesar against Pompeius. But Caesar was assassinated in Rome by Brutus and Cassius who came to Asia Minor to collect money and recruit soldiers. As the Lycians were reluctant to make any contributions, Brutus attacked Xanthos where the Lycian League�f s soldiers were gathered. He demolished the Acropolis and slaughtered the inhabitants. For the second time in their history, in the year 42 BC, the Xanthians underwent mass suicide for their freedom. Marc Antony, hoping to heal the scars left by Brutus, rebuilt their city. In Byzantines times, the city walls were renovated and a monastery was added. The city was deserted, ruined by Arab raids in the 8th century.

Xanthos was discovered in 1838 by Sir Charles Fellows who had all the reliefs and finds of any significance transported to London, on a warship that anchored in Patara.
The Hellenistic walls and gates of the city, the Lycian buildings and monuments, the necropolis with typical Lycian tombs and sarcophagi, the funerary pillars, the Roman theatre, the agora, the Byzantine church with mosaics, the Byzantine monastery,....are among the main vestiges of the archaeological site

TLOS

As one of the six principal cities of Lycia, Tlos once bore the title of "the very brilliant metropolis of the Lycian nation". It is one of the oldest and largest settlements of Lycia and was inhabited until the 19th century by Turks.

Tlos lies on the east side of the Xanthos valley, and is dominated by its acropolis. This rocky outcrop slopes up from the plateau, but ends on the west, north and northeast in almost perpendicular cliffs. On its slope are several Lycian sarcophagi and many temple-type tombs are cut into the face of the acropolis hill. The influence of many cultures upon Tlos has resulted in an interesting collage of structures.

"Tomb of Bellerophon" - The most interesting tomb of Tlos, a large temple-type tomb featuring a relief of the legendary (from Greek myth) hero Bellerophon riding Pegasus the winged horse. Punished by the Lycian king Iobates for an improper love affair, Bellerophon was sent to kill the Chimaera, a fire-breathing monster. With the aid of Pegasus, a gift from Athena, Bellerophon slew the monster from the air and then married the king's daughter. From their offspring came the later rulers of Lycia. Today the Chimaera continues to exist as a perpetually-burning fire in eastern Lycia near Olympos.

Castle of "Bloody Chief Ali" - Crowning the top of Tlos' acropolis is the castle of this notorious Turkish lord, built upon the foundations of a Lycian fortress. The view from the top is spectacular - it overlooks a lovely valley of fertile fields and orchards with mountains rising in the distance.

Byzantine Basilica - Remains of a Roman gymnasium and bath converted into a Byzantine basilica. Inside is the "Yedi Kapi" ( "Seven Gates") - a dramatic set of seven arches overlooking a lush valley.

LETOON, PINARA, PATARA

Letoon was the sacred cult center of Lycia and its most important sanctuary dedicated to the three national deities of Lycia - Leto and her twin children Apollo and Artemis. Legend has it that Leto was loved by Zeus, but was chased away by jealous Hera until Leto gave birth to her twins on the island of Delos. Another story gives the birthplace as the source of the Xanthos River. One story tells that shepherds angrily refused to let her drink from a fountain - she turned them into frogs in retaliation. Still another story says that wolves helped her find the Xanthos River. In gratitude she named the country Lycia: Lykos is Greek for wolf.
Letoon was a sanctuary precinct and not actually a city, though it did have a settlement surrounding it. This was the spiritual heart of Lycia, its federal sanctuary and the place of national festivals. Letoon was the center of pagan cults activity until perhaps the 5th century AD when Lycia was ravaged by Arab attacks and the area started to silt up with sand brought by the Xanthos River.

An inscription found at Letoon refers to the establishment of the cult as well as its rules for monthly and annual sacrifices - offenders against this were found guilty before Leto, her children and the Nymphs. The Lycian cult of Leto was one of the many forms of the wide-spread mother-goddess religion which originated in ancient Anatolia and spread throughout the ancient world. It is noteworthy that a woman was allowed to preside over the national assembly that was held each autumn at Letoon - a reminder of the ancient matriarchal customs in Anatolia.

CADIANDA, ÜZÜMLÜ, ÖREN

Ancient Lycian Cadianda is situated 18 kilometres north -east of Fethiye.

Setting off from Üzümlü, you will not regret the climb about one and half hours by foot on the long steep track through undiscovered terrain to this ancient Lycian city, as you reach the top and are greeted with spectacular views and a chance to explore the ruins of a theatre, stadium, baths, temple and agora.

Cadyanda, 'Kadawanti' in Lycian, was never more than an obscure city. It is mentioned only once in ancient manuscripts, whereas its monuments and inscription go back to the 5th century B.C.

Perched on its hilltop 400 meters above Üzümlü and about 900 meters above the sea, Cadianda was certainly in a commanding situation

GOCEK

GÖCEK has long been a desirable destination for both Turkish and foreign yachtsmen, as well as a favorite stopover for jet-setters and celebrities alike. This paradisical village of two-thousand inhabitants is only 20 minutes by car from Dalaman International Airport, which can be reached in under 1 hour from Istanbul.

It is not just world-class yachting that makes Göcek a special place; it is the way the culture and natural surroundings blend in such a serene way. Strict development laws ensure that this very unique setting is protected; and since there is no oversupply of hotels, it is never crowded; majority of visitors are usually sophisticated travellers like yourself.

Set at the north-west end of the Gulf of Fethiye, Gocek is blessed with magnificent scenery. Backed by majestic mountains and substantial pine forests it looks out over the Twelve Islands, which provide shelter for Gocek's almost circular bay that has made the village such a perfect, natural harbor. Lured by such perfection, the yachting community has long made Gocek a favorite, and it is also a popular stop for gullet cruises.
Perhaps this explains Gocek's impressive range of facilities for a place that remains so blissfully unspoiled: there are only a handful of small hotels and pensions, yet all along the wide, landscaped promenade that fringes the quayside, there are plenty of eateries, from simple cafes to excellent restaurants specializing in delicious fresh fish. In the back streets and around the old village square by the mosque, there is a surprising array of interesting craft shops.