Address: Myra Lycian Rock Tombs, Demre/Antalya, Türkiye
Coordinates: 36.258888, 29.984625
How to get there
By public transport
From the bus stations of the cities:, Fenike, - buses pass through, from which you can walk to the tombs and ruins of the city of Peace in 20 minutes.
From from, you first need to get to, where to transfer to the bus to Demre.
By rented car
See GPS coordinates above. There is parking nearby.
As part of a tour group
Excursions from various resort towns in Turkey are organized to the ruins of the city of Peace and the tombs. Ask your guide at the hotel.
Description
The Lycian tombs in the World are unique rock burials on the territory of the ruins of the ancient Lycian, within the boundaries of the modern Turkish city of Demre.
They are traditional tombs for the Lycian culture, carved right into the rocks. It is believed that in this way, by burying people high in the rocks, the souls of the dead could more easily ascend to the gods. The higher the grave was, the person buried in it belonged to a more noble family.
Burials date back to the period when the city of Myra was the capital of the Lycian Union (before that, the capital of Lycia was the city
And we simply could not pass by such a significant sight. Was it worth going up to the tomb and does this monument really deserve attention? I invite you to explore this with us.
What are the Lycian tombs anyway? First of all, this is a unique architectural structure in the rocks, which dates back to the 4th century BC!
Lycian tombs are a special kind of tomb art. Firstly, their history goes back more than 2.5 thousand years. Secondly, massive stone sculptures have a very unusual shape. And thirdly, all this stone beauty is carved right into the rock!
Fortunately, unlike many other attractions in the city, the Lycian Tombs survived two of the most powerful earthquakes in Turkey (in 1857 and 1957). Therefore, you can look at them now.
Does it really look weird?
The modern resort of Fethiye was built on the site of the ancient city of Telmessos. At one time, it was one of the largest cities in the state of Lycia.
The most famous tomb of Fethiye is the tomb of King Amyntas (there is even an inscription “Amintas, son of Hermagios” inside. A copy of the Greek temple was built around 350 BC. And all this without electricity and construction equipment!
Very impressive:
2. Useful information
2.1. Where is
Lycian tombs are located on the outskirts of Fethiye. You can get to them from anywhere in the city, as well as from Ovacik.
Location on the map:
2.2. How to get there
- Taxi
Taxi to the tombs can be ordered from any part of the city and from the suburbs of Fethiye, you can also order an individual transfer online here.
You can park your car at the foot of the mountain. Taxis also stop here:
- On foot
On foot you can walk from the city center (or the bus station) - you need to go towards the mountains, sooner or later you will see signs.
Road towards the tombs. Our final goal is the mountain in the background:
From this point you can already see the tombs:
- Book an excursion
A visit to the Lycian Tombs is included in any sightseeing tour of Fethiye. Considering that sightseeing does not take much time, you can visit the tombs as part of an excursion group.
- By public transport.
Near the Lycian tombs is the final stop of the dolmush, on which they get here from Fethiye and from the nearest suburbs. We drove from Calis beach (two lira per person). From the bus stop to the tombs, walk another ten minutes.
2.3. Visit time
You can enter the paid territory from 08.00 to 19.00:
2.4. Price
From afar, you can admire the tombs for free - they are perfectly visible from below. Or you can climb to the very top and inspect the tombs from the inside (you will have to pay for this 5 lire).
The price of the entrance ticket to the Lycian Tombs is 5 lire:
3. Photo walk and city views
You can climb to the farthest tomb:
Here begins a very steep climb uphill:
Climbing up is incredibly difficult:
From the information poster, we learned a couple of facts from the history of the tombs:
Opposite the cash register is a cozy cafe with a beautiful view:
Immediately behind the cash register, the stairs begin:
A steep staircase stretches all the way to the entrance to the tomb:
Stunning view of Fethiye from the highest point:
And this is the view from the other side. By the way, on the mountain to the left are the remains of a fortress. And you can go up there for free:
The inside of the tomb looks like this today. No comments:
View from the tomb of the city:
Against the backdrop of Fethiye:
The tomb itself is striking in its gigantic size! But the room allocated for the sarcophagus is quite tiny. And again - very, very steep stairs:
Stunning views of the port and city.
Lycia is a wonderful country that has given the modern world almost completely destroyed cities with magnificent buildings created by famous masters of that time. Much was lost thousands of years ago, but some works of architectural art have come down to us. They look, of course, not like then, but still amaze people from all over the Earth with their unusualness.
Numerous huge amphitheatres, aqueducts and sacred places still keep the rich history of the amazing country of Lycia.
But all these beauties are not as numerous and interesting as the famous Lycian tombs - graves on the island of Teke, which appeared long before the beginning of our era.
You can find them throughout the country. Archaeologists have found a huge number of burials that have come down to us in an unchanged state. They arouse great interest with their unusual shape and decorations created according to all the canons of the Lycian culture.
All tombs are divided into four main types: Kaya, Tapinak, Dahit and "Houses".
Kaya city of the dead
In Lycia, you can find tombs carved directly into the rock. This is one of the earliest Lycian burials. A large number of graves can be found in the city of Mira, which is located a few kilometers from the modern city of Demre. The tombs of Kaya are assembled into entire complexes and from a distance can resemble entire empty settlements.
They are very difficult to reach, so these burials are better preserved than others. Particularly impressionable tourists, arriving in Lycia, do not immediately understand that they have come to the burial places, and not to an abandoned city.
The tombs consist of a square foundation and are decorated with carved columns. Above them is a burial chamber. The facade and columns are decorated with carvings and Lycian ornaments. Currently, some burials are not in the best condition, but they have not become less beautiful because of this.
Tapinak temples of the dead
You can meet them almost everywhere. But most of the graves are located in the ancient city of Kaun. The most popular burial was the tomb of Amyntas, which is located in Fethiye.
All the tombs are made in the form of temples with two columns. Outwardly, they are similar to Kaya, but the internal architecture is different. The entrance to the tomb is bordered by a small portico, which is an empty space. Immediately behind it is the burial room.
Houses for the dead
These tombs are very similar to the national Lycian houses. They have several floors and a decorated entrance in the form of a rectangle.
The entire area of the tombs is covered with icons, drawings in the Gothic style. Hidden within them is a burial chamber similar to Tapinak.
Unusual sarcophagi
The tombs are scattered all over the world, you will not surprise anyone with them. But Lycia is famous for its sarcophagi, which, due to their layered structure, are shaped like a tower. All sarcophagi have three levels.
The first level is represented by the base of the tomb, the second is the burial, and the third is the roof, resembling the roof of an ordinary house.
Servants and slaves were kept at the lower level. The upper ones were intended for gentlemen and the elite and were decorated with frescoes.
The most famous sarcophagus was found in Xanthos. The frescoes that decorated it are stored in.
Sign of respect
All the tombs were made very gracefully and sophisticatedly. It can be concluded that the Lycians respected death and worshiped it.
They even created a defense system against robberies. A note with a curse was placed near each tomb, warning of what could befall the infidels in case of robbery. Whole families guarded the graves. There were fines for looting.
The amount was set either by the next of kin, or by the deceased himself while still alive.
The largest and most mysterious tombs in the world
The largest tomb
The largest (by area) burial of one person is, oddly enough, in Japan, where every square meter of land is worth its weight in gold. This is the tomb of a man who lived in the 4th century AD. e. Emperor Nintoku. The burial complex is located in the city of Sakai, near Osaka. Its total area is 46 hectares. The grave itself is a 33-metre-high keyhole-shaped mound, surrounded by water on all sides.
Interestingly, if the ancient royal graves, for example, in Egypt and Mesopotamia have long been dug up by curious European scientists, then in Japan they are considered private burials, although very ancient. Neither local nor foreign archaeologists are allowed there.
Lycian tombs
Mira - is the ancient capital of the Lycian kingdom. The exact date when the city was founded has not been preserved, but according to some sources, it already existed in the 5th century BC.
The City of Peace is known primarily among the believers. All thanks to the fact that in the year 300, none other than Nicholas of Patara, who later became known as Nicholas the Wonderworker, became the bishop of Mira. He lived and preached in this city until his death.
Here is located the tombs carved directly into the rocks, the so-called necropolis? Unusually, the tombs themselves are located high above the ground. It was believed that the higher the tomb to the sky, the higher to the deity, so the highest tombs belonged to the most noble people of that time. After death, the soul of a person acquires wings and soars into the heavens. This arrangement of the tombs was intended to make it easier for the soul to “start” into eternity. Even local guides claim that the higher the tomb is, the more powerful the person was during his lifetime.
Tomb of Philip II
At the foot of the Pierian Mountains in Macedonia, near the area of Vergina, archaeologists have discovered several tombs.
A sarcophagus was found in the tomb, in which clothes richly trimmed with gold and purple were partially preserved. Pottery made it possible to establish that the burial was made in the middle of the 4th century BC. BC It is very likely that the researchers found the tomb of Philip II and one of his wives (possibly Cleopatra). The location of Vergina corresponds to the location of the former Macedonian capital of Ega, where the royal burials were located. Numerous ivory figurines depicted members of the royal family.
Excavations in Vergina made it possible to locate Aegis, one of the oldest capitals of Macedonia. It was in this city that the kings of the Argead dynasty and the offspring of the royal house were traditionally buried. The heir should have seen off the funeral cortege and supervised the funeral ceremonies. Such, for example, was the first debt of Alexander III in relation to his father, Philip II.
Tomb of King Tutta
The tomb of Tutankhamen kept its secrets in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings for more than three thousand years.
Thanks to the excavations, people got the opportunity to be convinced of the complexity and splendor of the ancient Egyptian funeral rite, and their ideas about the scale of the state cult of the pharaoh and the funeral Egyptian ritual were replenished.
However, this find also gave birth to many mysteries and questions.
Already at the first stage of research, a legend about the "curse of the pharaoh" appeared. Some time after the discovery, G. Carter found a clay tablet in the tomb, which said that death would spread its wings over anyone who dared to disturb the peace of the pharaoh.
In addition to this message, two bodies were found. The first is a mummy, and the second is a robber. At that moment, when the thief extended his hand to the treasures, a stone fell from the ceiling on him.
The curse took effect on April 5, 1923, the explorer of the tomb, Lord Carnarvon, died. Other deaths followed, no less mysterious. Soon, one after another, the lord's wife, his half-brother, the woman caring for him, the doctor who did the x-ray of the mummy and other people who had a direct or even indirect relation to the discovery suddenly passed away.
By 1930, of all the witnesses, only Carter remained alive - Carnavon's excavation comrade, who refused to believe in the curse until the end of his life.
Terracotta Army
The legendary army, called the Terracotta (after the material from which the statues are made), was accidentally discovered by Chinese peasants in March 1974 while building a local irrigation system. Total soldiers, according to various estimates, from 7 to 9 thousand. Each of them is made of clay, fired, coated with a special organic compound and painted. The weight of a warrior is about 135 kilograms, the horse is about 200.
The Terracotta Army, buried (210-209 BC) along with its ruler Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of feudal China, should probably have given him the opportunity to satisfy his imperious habits in the other world in the same way as he did under life.
And although instead of living warriors, contrary to the usual tradition, their clay copies were buried along with the emperor, which is regarded by some experts as a very progressive step, we should not forget that in addition to the statues of warriors, according to various estimates, up to 70 thousand workers were buried along with their families, as well as about three thousand concubines. And these people, unlike the soldiers, were quite real.
The ancient city of Demre Mira is one of the most popular places in Turkey. Every tourist who has ever vacationed in Turkey has heard about the tour "The ancient city of Demre Mira + Kekova". And every second of these tourists has been on such an excursion. Therefore, in the high season, the flea market in these places is incredible. Nevertheless, we managed to come here at the most convenient moment, when you can take unique photos of the famous Lycian tombs and the Demre amphitheater without tourists.
The secret is simple: we arrived in the ancient city of Demre Mira in the lowest season of international relations. Besides, on your own. Besides, in the spring. Therefore, there were practically no tourist groups here. Only occasionally did groups of Turks rise up the steps of the amphitheater, as well as small groups of Russian-speaking tourists, poking their fingers at us and asking the guide: “Where are the places?” And then! For independent tourists, VIP places are always and everywhere plus as much time at the sights as your heart desires. Why not a reason?
By the way, a popular tour in Turkey, which these tourists came to, is called “The ancient city of Demre Mira Kekova”. But we excluded the last point from our route due to lack of interest. Kekova is a sunken city, and the trip to it is bobbing on the waves above where it once stood. Or maybe he was in a different place altogether - you can’t see anything underwater anyway.
The ancient city of Demre Mira. Historical reference
First, a few words about what is it - the ancient city of Demre Mira. The Turkish city of Demre is located in the province of Antalya, 5 km from the sea and 150 km from Antalya itself. Very close to this city, practically within its boundaries, are the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Mira. That is why it often bears a double name - "The ancient city of Demre Mira".
When Mira was founded is not exactly known. The first mention of this city dates back to the 2nd century BC - at that time, Mira was part of the Lycian League and was one of its largest cities. At one time, Mira was even the capital of Lycia. It was in those days, about 2000 years ago, that the most famous sights were built - the amphitheater and the Lycian tombs in the World. Which, by the way, was destroyed by an earthquake in the 2nd century AD, but then completely rebuilt.
Later, the city became part of the Roman Empire and adopted Christianity. Nicholas was Bishop of Mira from 300 to 343 AD.- he is Nicholas the Wonderworker, he is Nicholas the Pleasant, he is Santa Claus (Santa Nikolaus) and he is Santa Claus. In Demre, the church where he served is still preserved (as well as dozens of icon shops, which are sure to bring tourists on excursions to the “Ancient City of Demre Mira”). Nicholas was revered by Christians as the protector of children, and therefore the fabulous grandfather, who gives gifts, received his name. By the way, Santa Claus owes his usual appearance - a red coat, a beard, a staff and other attributes - to Coca Cola. And Santa Claus, respectively, Santa Claus.
So the city flourished for itself until it was destroyed first by the Arabs (IX century), and then by the Seljuks (XII century). Since then, the ancient city of Demre Mira has looked much the same as it does now. Let's see exactly how!
I came, I saw, I took pictures. Photo Demre Mira without tourists
At the entrance to the ancient city of Demre Mira you are met by a number of religious shops. To go to Turkey and not bring an Orthodox icon from there is a big sin.
And here are the promised photo of the ancient city of Demre Mira without tourists. Mira Amphitheater: take any place!
Since there is room for an apple to fall in the auditorium, I'll sit in a VIP seat.
For the entrance to the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, the Turks charge 20 lira per person. Now I know where Santa Claus gets money for gifts from.
No, this is not Ataturk: the ancient city of Demre Mira in Turkey is decorated with a monument to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
And in conclusion, a few words about prices.
- Ticket to the ancient city of Myra: 20 lire.
- Ticket to the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: 20 lire.
- Bus ticket from Antalya to Demre: 22 lire.
- Bus ticket from Kemer to Demre: 18 lire.
- Bus ticket from Fethiye to Demre: 25 lire.
- One night at the cheapest Hotel Demre : $40.
This is what the ancient city of Demre Mira looks like in the photo if you come there in the low season. However, in the World, as in all of Turkey, it is always good. And we from Demre went further west, to the beautiful little town of Kas. the fun is just getting started!
