turquoise sailing

OLUDENIZ & KEKOVA ROUTE

. KEKOVA with its incredible beauties is one of the best-loved anchorages of blue voyagers, where history and nature come together. After departing Kas, first you pass Uluburun opposite Meis (Kastellerizon) Island and Sicak Peninsula where the ancient city of Aperlae was found. Name of Kekova is taken from the Island, which is covered with ancient ruins. The lake like sheltered sea between the Island and the main land is also called Dead Sea.

Tersane Bay is located at the southwest of the Island where you find the remains of an ancient dockyard. At the southeast of the Island there is another beautiful anchorage, is called Karaloz. Following shore, you can see many houses submerged in the water as the result of various earthquakes, which gives another name to the area - "sunken city". 

In Kekova region the safest place for anchor is the village of Üçagiz, which was called Theimussa in the Lycian period. From the inscriptions on the tomb it is understood that itshistory goes back to the 4th century BC in Theimussa town. Ruins of necropol give a very interesting picture resembling a field of sarcophagi.

The ancient city of Simena can be seen on the island and where the village Kale is located. Kale is full of medieval and ancient structures, which are historical emblems of the village's natural beauty. At top of the village a well-preserved castle stands which was reconstructed by crusaders upon a Lycian. Inside the castle, there is a very small theatre or Odeon, worth seeing.

The most interesting sarcophagus of Kekova is one which, near the Kale Village stand alone in the water. On the mainland, many of other good samples of Lycian sarcophagi can be seen among the olive and carob trees.

Kekova is probably one of the most enjoyable regions of the Mediterranean because of its impressive historical background, unspoilt nature and gorgeous turquoise waters. Just to preserve this beauty, people are not allowed to do scuba diving and snorkelling with masks, around the sunken cities.

GÖKKAYA Cruising south from Kekova, Gökkaya is another beautiful place for anchorage. The bay is protected from all winds and is a good overnight spot. The crystal clean waters, and beautiful surroundings, are a joy to swim. If you take a walk on the land to the east, you'll find a small ancient settlement called Istlada where there are the remains of sarcophagi, a church, a monumental gate, cisterns and wells similar to those other nearby Lycian towns. 

KOKAR BAY After leaving Gökkaya, you can either return to Kekova or take the opportunity to see Myra and St. Nicholas's Church anchoring in Kokar Bay. This is not a good choice to stay overnight but is the closest connection for busues to Myra. 

MYRA The ruins of Myra are situated 5 km from the shore. On reaching the city, the first thing you see is the acropolis on top of the hill, which is literally covered with Lycian rock tombs. The city walls dating to Hellenistic and Roman periods can still be seen. Most of pigeon hole type tombs (called simple niches) and house type tombs are damaged, but some inscriptions and reliefs are still visible. 
The theatre - The cavea of which is half Greek and half Roman in style - is situated near the necropolis, and is in better condition than the other theatres in Lycia. Vaulted passage entrances and the stage building are also in good condition.

St. Nicolas was born in Patara and lived in Myra. In the 4th century he was the Bishop of Myra until the end of his life, and was buried in his church. The church of St. Nicholas in Kale (Myra) was collapsed in an earthquake in 529; a larger church, perhaps a larger basilica-type structure was built in its place. The Church of St Nicholas was razed to the ground during a naval assault conducted by the Arabs in 1034. An inscription reads that it was restored under Constantine IX in 1043. Some additions were made during renovations in the 12th century, and the church was finally renovated in its present position during the 19th century and again after Atatürk leaving an excellent example of Anatolian - Byzantine architecture. In the 11th century Italian pirates broke open the sarcophagus of St. Nicholas and took his bones to Bari, in Italy. St. Nicholas's Roman style decorated sarcophagus still stands in the church.