Category: Archaeology

The ancient ruins of Amos are accessible from the Asarcik hill, northwest of Kumlubuk bay. Amos dates back to the Hellenistic period, and is composed of a hillside amphitheatre, a temple and statue pedestals. Surrounded by ramparts dating back to the same time, this amphitheatre is in good condition, with its seating area, side walls and stage with three chambers. Excavations in 1948 by Prof. Bean revealed four inscriptions, which mentioned three rental contracts, thought to date back to around 200BC. There is a minibus running from Turunc to Kumlubuku which passes through Amos.

It is possible to see the ruins at Physkos, an important harbour city of the ancient Caria region, on the Asar hill north of Marmaris. The old city walls dating back to the Hellenistic period are still fairly intact.

The ancient city of Olympos is situated on the southern side of Mt. Tahtali. Oleander and laurel bushes shade the Olympos Valley, which you can approach by land and sea. The play of light on the quiet pools of water enhance the mosaics in the bath. A temple gate and theatre also remain from antiquity. The outer walls and towers around the bay date from the Middle Ages. North of Olympos up from Cirali Beach, is Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters) where according to mythology the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus slew the fire breathing monster, Chimaera.

Gas which seeps from the earth burns brightly at night at this site, which the Byzantines also considered a religious area. South of Olympos, tranquil waters and sandy beaches line the Bay of Cavus. Here you can waterski on calm waters, discover the colorful marine life or explore the incredible sea caves on the northern shore.

42 km east of Kars, lies Ani, a fascinating medieval town, situated on the ancient Silk Road. This impressive place was once the capital of Urartians, later invaded by the Byzantines and the Mongols, and is located near the Arpacay stream which flows between the Turkish and Armenian Republics. The proximity of this ghost town to the border, places some restrictions on visitors, but the ruins of the mosques and numerous churches, together with the cathedral and the citadel, all inside city walls, are really worth seeing.

Situated in the Kolophon territory in between the cities Kolophon and Notion was the city of Klaros. It was the centre of the Apollo Klarios cult. There was also a huge temple in the city which was an oracle centre especially during the Hellenistic period. Visitors from all corners of the world, kings, city representatives and ordinary citizens came to consult the God Apollo’s Oracle. The temple was plundered at times by pirates but had vast financial revenues during the Roman Times.