ANCIENT CITIES IN MUĞLA
ANCIENT CITIES IN MUĞLA
Muğla is a unique location where the heart of tourism beats in Turkey. In addition to admiring everyone with its sea, sun and sand, it also protects a cultural heritage with dozens of ancient cities it hosts. With these works, we can see that many empires have passed through here, what traces they left, and how they lived. Muğla Ancient Cities, which must be seen by those who want to watch the traces of time, form a whole with their museums where the artifacts unearthed are exhibited. In other words, visiting ancient cities is not enough, it is in your hands to make your journey more enjoyable and meaningful by visiting museums.
Fethiye King Tombs (Amintas Rock Tomb):
A magnificent tomb where rocks were carved for high-ranking people in the 4th century BC. This tomb in Fethiye can be reached by climbing approximately 100 steps. It is definitely worth climbing these steps to see such a beauty and the scenery that will be encountered when you climb. The entrance fee is 20 TL and it is open to visitors between 08:30-19:30.
Tlos Ancient City:
This mystical ancient city, which was established on the mountain slopes, offers us a different view in every season. When you go in the spring, the light wind and the snow on the tops of the mountains are engraved as an unforgettable memory. When you go to this ancient city, the plain below and the light setting sun are definitely worth seeing. Most of the artifacts are preserved here, and spending a long time on all these artifacts that should be seen from the past to the present is recommended.
Pınara Ancient City:
This tomb monument, which has been temporarily included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, is named after Pınara, which was known as ‘Round’ in Ancient Greece. Due to the rapidly increasing human population in the old period, this ancient city established between the mountains confirms this name. Since the roads leading to this city, which has preserved itself like a hidden treasure for centuries and fascinates those who see it, are bumpy, it is beneficial to proceed by choosing the main roads, and the ancient tomb image that is finally reached is worth the effort.
Letoon Ancient City:
This ancient city has also been included in the World Heritage List by Unesco. A feature that distinguishes it from other ancient cities of its period is that it has a religious and political aspect. An inscription written in 3 different languages was found here in the 4th century BC, and this inscription is preserved in the Fethiye Museum. There are 3 separate temples, 1 fountain and an ancient theater in this ancient city.
A rumor about the foundation of this ancient city also tells: When Artemis and Apollo were born, their mother Goddess Leto came to the place where the river empties into the sea to wash them, that is, to the point where the temple is now. But he cursed the people because of the people who prevented him.
Stratonikeia Ancient City:
This ancient city has an important place among the ancient cities in Muğla. Not only in Muğla, it is one of the largest ancient cities built with marble all over the world and is still being explored. In ancient times, Roman and Ottoman people lived together in this ancient city, and this tradition continues today, and there are people residing here. This ancient city is so old that there are traces from the Hellenistic periods that existed in the 3rd BC to today’s Turkey. There are churches, baths, mosques, fountains and various shops in this ancient city.
In addition, the beauties of this beautiful ancient city are not limited to this, it also contains a story behind it. In this story, which contains a bit of forbidden love and a bit of a happy ending, the king of the time is happily married to his wife, Stratonike. However, the king’s son Antiochus fell in love with his stepmother. Antiochus, who could not express this and fell into bed, gets his great love when his doctor who treated him understands this situation and explains it to the King. The king allows his son to marry Stratonike and leaves the throne, transferring the throne to his son. Here, the ancient city of Stratonikeia dates back to Stratonike’s stepson, who fell in love with her as a gift.
Lagina Ancient City:
This ancient city was built as a gift to Hecate, the God of Death, who was known to practice witchcraft in his time. It is believed that the road connecting the Temple of Hecate and the ancient city of Stratonikeia is a sacred road. It is enough to follow a few road signs to be caught in the magic of this ancient city and see the traces of the temple that has survived to the present day.
Kaunos King Tombs:
In order to see this tomb monument, you have to hop on one of the boats that set off from the bays. Of course, there is a reason why this tomb, which is impossible to get close to, was built in such a high place that is difficult to reach. According to ancient beliefs, such high tombs were prepared for the important people of the society, especially the kings, since the height of the tomb was an element that brought the person closer to God. The only thing that is a matter of curiosity is not why the tombs are so high, but how they were built so high. I think we will not be able to solve this mystery for a while, but until then we will be able to enjoy visiting these magnificent mausoleums.
Of course, the ancient cities hosted by Muğla do not end with counting. You should definitely add this ancient city paradise, which has witnessed many legends and history, to the ‘Bucketlist’ and experience the feeling of traveling in time to its fullest. In such important ancient cities, it is beneficial to follow certain rules, as it is inconvenient to take pictures with flash and touch the structures.
