Category: Archaeology

There is talk about some ruins from the ancient city of Karyanda on Salih Island opposite Guvercinlik. It is claimed that Yeni Karyanda (New One) was located on the site of the current settlement of Golturkbuku. However, there are no remains to prove that these were the locations of these ancient cities.

The most important cities of Caria were Halikarnassos (Bodrum) and Knidos (Datca). Other cities on the Gulluk Gulf were Bargylia (Asarlik), Iasos (Kiyikislacik); on western end of the Bodrum Peninsula, Myndos (Gumusluk); on the inner part of the peninsula, Pisada and Theangela; and to the south of the Gulf of Gokova, Keramos (Oren) and Kedria (Sedir Island).

There were other settlements inland at Mylasa (Milas); Labranda, which is linked to Mylasa by a 14 kms long road; to the north where there was Mylasa Euromos (Ayakli); and Araphisar, which was close to the Alabanda Stream. In addition, there was Gerga; nearby Yatagan; Stratonikeia and Lagina; Kaunos (Dalyan) which used to be on the sea until the waterway silted up.

Didyma It is located at the west coast of Turkey, not far from the port of Miletus, although Didim (Didyma) can only boast of a single monument, it is nevertheless a marvellous site. The Temple of Apollo was one of antiquity’s most sacred places. Many times looted and burned, the sanctuary still impresses with its elegant beauty. A portico of double colonnades surround the colossal temple.

Seleuica Pieria, 6 km south of Samandag, is the ancient city which was a busy port at the time when Paul and Barnabas made their first missionary journey from here. The Titus Vespasianus Tunnel which was built to divert the rain waters, even by today’s standard, is a superb example of engineering. Near by there are 12 rock tombs to be visited.

The city is located 45 kilometers away from Harran and the preent ruins belong to the Roman Period. Numerous structures was constructed from shear stone blocks over hundreds of rock mausoleums. Only some wall sections and the foundation ruins of the structures managed to withstand the destruction of the passing time and reached to the present day. A cave located among the ruins of the Şuayb city is known as the position of the Prophet Suayb.