Arykanda

30km/19mi north of Finike the ruined town of Arykanda lies on the slopes of the Akdag. Much of the fifth century remains are arranged on terraces overlooking the River Arykandos which cascades down the valley and through the village of Ba_göz (fish restaurants and trout farming). The citizens of Arykanda (Akalanda in Byzantine times) are thought to have had an extravagant lifestyle.

The stadium on the highest terrace is comparatively small (80x16sq.m/87x19sq.yd). It dates originally from Hellenistic times but was restored by the Romans. Below the stadium lies a small Greek theater with 20 rows of seating. It is almost intact, having been partially restored by the Romans. Some inscriptions are visible on the top row. On the lowest terrace stands the odeion containing a 75m/246ft long and 8m/26ft stoa with a mosaic floor. Stretching out in front is the market-place with a gallery to the south and west sides. It is presumed that a temple occupied the center of the market-place. To the west of the ruined town lies the bouleuterion. A stoa (destroyed in late antiquity) stands in front and a row of seats carved out of the rock is still visible.

Related Attractions

Arykanda Baths

The baths which lie to the south of the necropolis are certainly among the best preserved buildings as they remain almost intact to roof level. A semi-circular viewing room provides a splendid view into the Arykandos valley. The hypocaust system in the frigidarium and caldarium is still in fine condition. To the west of the baths in an annex to the complex stands a gymnasium with school-rooms on the northern side. The baths are easily accessible from here. Similarly a door opened from the adjacent palaestra to the baths. Spring water (Basgöz Pinari) still flows into the town through rock canals supported with masonry. There are two necropoles, one to the east and one to the west of the ruined city, where some interesting sarcophagi, huge tombs and small temples with relief designs can be seen. Near the western burial ground lie some pre-Christian rock tombs.

Elmali, Turkey

The regional center of Elmali, on the edge of the Elmali Ovasi, offers some relief from the heat of summer as it stands at an altitude of 1,200m/3,936 ft in the Taurus mountains surrounded by cedar and pine forests. Until the 1950s the valley lay under large, shallow karst lakes, but these have since been drained (Karagöl, Avlan Gölü), although the outline of the water levels can still be discerned. A typical example of a drained karst lake and drainage channel are to be found at Düden Magarasi about 15km/9mi south of the town below the road to Finike.

In Beyler and many other villages in the Elmali Ovasi on the road to Kas ancient wooden grain-stores of varying sizes can be seen. The construction methods used are reflected in the many Lycian rock tombs. Clearly a centuries-old building tradition was preserved as it passed down the generations.

In the 1960s American archeologists found the remains of an early Bronze Age settlement at Karatas-Semayük 5km/3mi northeast of Elmali. Finds included a walled Megaran-type building with an oval courtyard.

Not far from Karagöl and to the southwest of Elmali, excavations at Kizilbel and Karaburun exposed some sixth-fifth century B.C. wall paintings, depicting images from Greek mythology, the Land of the Dead and hunting scenes. They have been skillfully restored.