Many nations have legends about cities that have gone under water. And often this event is surrounded by speculation and legend. In Russia it is a hailstones Kitezh, in Turkey – ancient settlements on the tiny island of Kekova. This place is of genuine interest, especially since in addition to the legend, there is quite tangible evidence of the existence of the city, which was partially under water after a terrible earthquake. Kekova Island is rarely marked on the map because of its very small area. After the natural cataclysm, only 4.5 km² remained on the surface. Despite such a modest area, the island is considered a famous attraction and is not neglected by visitors.
History of Kekova Island
It is no longer possible to know exactly what happened centuries ago. But the archaeological evidence suggests that the people knew in advance of the impending danger, so they hastily fled the city, taking only the bare necessities and leaving intact the rest of the utensils and luxuries.
Nowadays, the island is officially considered uninhabited, marked only on tourist maps as a recommended site for viewing, and the town of Dolihiste, the one that sank, is not specified at all. You can learn about it only from the guides when buying various excursions. The most popular route is Demre – Mira – Kekova. The approximate date of the departure under water after the earthquake is called the 2nd century BC.
Partially on the surface can be seen the remains of walls, paved streets, stairs. Gradually the dilapidated arches and roads go under the water and are visible in it even at a decent depth.
According to archaeologists, the sunken city of Dolihiste in Turkey on the island of Kekova belonged to the Lycians and was a fortified fort. At first there lived only warriors, but after the campaigns of Alexander the Great the settlement grew and became a full-fledged city where families lived. The Lycians knew the secrets of working with stone, creating real architectural masterpieces, richly decorated with bright mosaics.
The uneasy seismic conditions repeatedly caused the partial destruction of the city, but the inhabitants patiently rebuilt it until the next terrible earthquake provoked a real panic. No more people returned to the city, leaving only ruins that fascinate modern archaeologists.
For some time the island of Kekova belonged to the Byzantine Empire, from this period remain the ruins of a church and three square-shaped watchtowers. Then the territory passed to Turkey. The remains of the buildings stood untouched; people were no longer willing to risk their well-being and avoided the ancient city. Excavations and studies of antiquities are still conducted today. For the safety of the site, no diving or swimming is allowed in the area of the ruins that are under water. But the restrictions apply to a very modest area.
What to see on Kekova Island
The ancient city of Dolihiste was situated on a small hill, and this part is well preserved. The streets were lined with ledges, like stairs, delineating the areas of artisans and more affluent townspeople. In the modern version, they go smoothly into the water. Near the shore it is so transparent that you can clearly see all the buildings, even at a depth of ten meters.
One might consider:
- thermae;
- ruins of houses;
- large and small shards of amphorae for storing olive oil and wine;
- statues of varying degrees of preservation;
- A fragment of the embankment;
- remnants of the port.
Diving is prohibited, but as an alternative a boat trip with a transparent bottom over the sunken part of the city is offered.
In addition to Dolihiste, the most famous and completely abandoned by the inhabitants, there are other partially destroyed settlements on the coast. Once they were also majestic ancient cities, but now they are small villages, even their names are different.
Thus the once large and rich Simena became the humble village of Kaleköy. What remains of its greatness are the ruins of the famous Roman amphitheater, partially carved into the rock, and the Lycian necropolis. Scientists have also identified a pagan temple in small fragmentary fragments.
The best preserved Byzantine fortress. It is also interesting to look at the Lycian tombs. The deceased was placed in such a sarcophagus in the fetal position, with a coin placed in his mouth as payment for passage to the afterlife. You can see these amazing archaeological sites for free, they are located in Uchayz.
Archaeological discoveries
Judging by the findings of researchers and the analysis of the type of buildings – the city can be considered quite large and developed. The fact that it performed the tasks of the port is indicated by a specially shaped breakwater. The rock had hollowed out reservoirs that served to collect and store rainwater. That the inhabitants were familiar with the concepts of hygiene is evidenced by the sewage system and thermae, where the space was partially divided into individual cubicles.
The island of Kekova is not fully explored, quite often it has surprises, such as a sunken ship, which dates back approximately to 1300 BC. This discovery was made by French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
Boat trips to the submerged city on Kekova Island
These tours are considered some of the most popular on the Antalya coast. To be guaranteed to get on the boat on the appointed day, it is better to book the trip in advance. You can buy a ticket from a travel agent at the hotel, city branches, a special service, or arrange a trip just before the departure of the ship, if there are seats available. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
According to reviews, the most reliable way to completely transfer the worries on the shoulders of the travel agency is to book a trip to Kekova Island through the travel agency of the hotel. The most economical way is to buy a ticket at the boat.
As an option, it is worth considering an individual excursion on a boat with a transparent bottom, if the trip will be a small group. It is cheaper and the route will be built in accordance with the wishes of customers. The standard package includes a walk, a stop for swimming and sightseeing, and lunch. There are yachts for 10 to 80 people. The more passengers, the cheaper the ticket, but it is worth considering the level of comfort with so many tourists.
How to get to Kekova Island
The easiest option is to buy an excursion with a transfer to the hotel. In this case, the bus will drive up to the hotel and bring you there after the trip. The advantages are the complete lack of organizational problems. The disadvantage is the strict time planning, and the inability to deviate from the planned route. For diving enthusiasts an added bonus – you can buy a scuba dive.
Map (interactive)
If you want to come to the island of Kekova on their own, then from Antalya you need to get to the city of Kas, for which you buy a ticket for public transport or rent a cab. Then you must take the ferry, which runs seasonally, from May to October. The schedule must be checked separately.
A trip to Kekova Island is a chance to immerse yourself in ancient Lycian history and see the amazing submerged ancient cities that still hold many of their secrets in the depths of the sea.
