The ancient city of Myra
The ancient city of Myra, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists every year, dates back to the 5th century BC. The ancient city of Myra, which has the appearance of sitting in the rocks and which means Goddess Mother in ancient times, has an important place in both Lycian and Roman periods. Among the ruins of the ancient city are the rock tombs and the biggest theatre of the Lycian region with a capacity of 11 thousand people. Especially theatre masks carved on rocks are among the must-see works.
The ancient city of Myra is one of the six most important cities with the right of 3 votes among the Lycian civilizations and is approximately 3700 meters from the sea. Entrance to the ancient city of Myra, which can be visited every day, is not free of charge but museum cardholders can visit it free of charge.
Demre Ancient City Address: Alakent Neighborhood Karabucak Street Visiting hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd and April 14th between 08:00 and 17:00.
Soura (Sura) Ancient City
The ancient city of Soura in Sura village, 6 km away from Demre, is one of the cities that had two voting rights in Lycia in ancient times. There are many buildings belonging to the Lycian and Byzantine civilizations in the ancient city, including the Temple of Apollo, Acropolis, sarcophagi, monumental tombs and rock tombs.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<The Ancient City Of Kyaenai
It is not known when the ancient city was founded and it is estimated from the inscriptions that the history of the ancient city dates back to the 4th century BC. Kyaenai which means ringing rocks is located in the village of Yuva, 22 km from Demre. Since the ancient city of Kyaenai is built on steep cliffs up to 240 meters high, it is shown among the important mountain cities of the Lycian period. The city, which is surrounded by 450 meters long city walls, was also used as an episcopal centre in the ancient period. The ruins of the ancient city include the theatre, acropolis, necropolis and many sarcophagi. Some of the sarcophagi with reliefs were found to be dated to 350 BC. You can drive to the ancient city, which has a great view and walk after a point. Those who want to walk to the ancient city is recommended to wear a hat, bring water and wear walking shoes.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Ancient City of Trysa and Heroon Monument
Trysa ancient city, which is approximately 13 km away from Demre, has a very small establishment area compared to other Lycian cities. The ancient city, built on a small hill, is reached after a short climb. Among the ruins of the ancient city are the city walls, the walls of the Heroon monument, sarcophagi and temple ruins. Unfortunately, the Heroon monument, which was dismantled and kidnapped many years ago, is now on display in the Vienna art museum. The ancient city is located on a hill 1 km from Devazlar village on the Kas-Finike road.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Hoyran (Sorouda) Necropolis:
You can visit the necropolis are which is located in the borders of Hoyran Village, 15 minutes away from Demre, with a car. In the necropolis area, besides the rock tombs, there are also ancient ruins. It is possible to see different rock, house or sarcophagus type tombs reflecting the Lycian period in the necropolis area.
After a short climb across the necropolis area, visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of Kekova. Those who want to take photos are recommended to climb this short distance and definitely see this view.
Andriake Ancient Harbor Ruins and Lycian Civilizations Museum
Andriake is located in Çayağzı, about 2 km from Demre centre. According to the inscriptions found in this small city founded by the people of Myra in the ancient period, it is understood that maritime trade and transportation was carried out in the city especially in the Roman period.
In the area converted into a museum in 2016, there are tombs, archaeological artefacts, two churches, a bathhouse, an agora, the oldest synagogue in Anatolia, a granary and a cistern. In addition, during the excavations in the region artefacts belonging to Lycian civilizations are also exhibited. Outside the museum, it is possible to see sarcophagi or ruins at many different points.
Entrance to the archaeological site located on the Demre-Kaş highway is not free of charge but museum cardholders can visit free of charge.
Visiting hours:
From 15 April to 2 October between 08:00 and 19:00.
From October 3rd and April 14th between 08:00 and 17:00.
St. Nicholaus Museum (Church)
St. Nicholas, known as Santa Claus, was born in Patara in 243 AD and settled in Demre in 285 AD. St Nicholaus, who also served as the bishop of Myra, died in 326 AD and was buried in this church which was converted into a museum. In 1087, merchants from Bari robbed the tomb of St Nicholaus, stole the bones of St Nicholaus, kidnapped him to Bari, and built a church in Bari for his name. The remains of the stolen bones are now exhibited in the Antalya archaeological museum.
The church of St Nicholaus, whose construction began in the 5th century AD but took many years to complete, is one of the historical buildings visited by the Orthodoxes.
In time, the church was buried under the floodwaters and was uncovered as a result of excavations in 1956. Every year, on the 6th of December, the anniversary of the death of St Nicholaus, church services are held. It was understood from the inscriptions that the church was destroyed in 1034 due to the Arab raids and attacks from the sea.
The museum is easily accessible from Demre and the visiting hours are:
From 15 April to 2 October between 08:00 and 19:00.
From October 3rd and April 14th between 08:00 and 17:00.
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