Kaunos was a port city of great commercial importance in Antiquity.. The Kaunos royal tombs are also located here. Over time, it lost its port feature as the sea was filled with clay, sand and similar substances carried by the rivers.. According to geographers and historians, there was a shipyard and a port that could be closed in the city of Kaunos.. This ancient city was founded by Kaunos, the son of Miletos, who was exiled for his inappropriate behavior.. The rock tombs found here are in the 4th century BC.. It was made in the century and was used in the Roman period..
There are three different stone beds on which dead people were laid in the tombs, which are seen as Lycian type.. Two icon columns on the front, reliefs between the roofs and a triangular roof resembling a pyramid are used.. One of these pyramid-like roofs has lion reliefs.. Sülüklü Lake, below the city’s fortifications on the hill, contained the port of the city.. At that time, the sea was reaching the forts of the city of Kaunos on the hill.
Ancient City of Kaunos
Kaunos king tombs have preserved their integrity in this city today.. After the Persians completely conquered Anatolia, this ancient city came under the rule of Mausolos.. It was governed in this way until 334 BC.. Then, after Alexander defeated the Persians, the administration was taken over by Princess Ada, then Antigonos and then Ptolemy.. It continued its existence for centuries under the rule of the Kingdom of Rhodes, the Kingdom of Pergamon and the Roman Empire.. However, with the filling of its port over time, it gradually lost its importance and became less used.
Ancient City Walls
Kounos Fortress was built on a hill at an altitude of 152 meters. The one on the north side of the walls has survived from the Middle Ages to the present day.. The long wall of the city of Kaunos starts from the north of the harbor and continues to the steep cliffs beyond the Dalyan Village, which is located in this location today.. The northern part of these walls was built during the Mausolos period and it was aimed to add security to the city.. The walls in the northwest direction belong to the Hellenistic Period.. The ones extending towards the harbor are the walls remaining from the Archaic Period.
The ancient theater is located just at the foot of the fortresses.. The theater with 33 rows of seats is quite wide compared to its period.. The remains of the building to the west of the theater belong to a church and a bath and temple from the Roman period.. Below is a podium raised by three steps behind an unfinished circular structure with smooth columns.. What this circular building is, however, has not been determined yet.
A school of philosophy was unearthed during the excavations carried out just north of Sülüklü Göl, which is the minus port.. Many statue bases were found around it.. However, the statues themselves were not found.. The fountain near this school has been restored over time.. Where is Kaunos? In answer to the question, it is located in Ortaca district of today’s Muğla province.
Where is Kaunos?
Where is Kaunos? This question can be briefly answered as follows; Kaunos is located in Ortaca district of Muğla province.. It is located in Çandır Neighborhood on the shores of Dalyan Canals and Alagöl, which separate Ortaca and Köyceğiz districts from each other.. At the same time, the royal tombs are located in this location.. It is regularly visited by domestic and foreign tourists.. The king tombs, which are usually carved into the rocks, attract great attention.
With its unique view and unspoiled rock tombs, Kaunos is a must-see ancient city.. The city, which has thousands of years of history, will make you feel the same spirit.. Especially the Kaunos king tombs are temple-like tombs that have preserved their integrity and housed many societies until today.. The craftsmanship, stone movements and reliefs found in these tombs, which attract great attention every year, are of a quality that cannot be seen anywhere else.. It is quite easy to visit this ancient city thanks to the transportation facilities provided.
You can find the road map of the ancient city of Kaunos here.
Kaunos King Tombs
Kaunos king tombs, unique in terms of structure are structures. In particular, it is not possible to find the stonework in these ancient tombs in any building or in any area today.. It is known that these tombs carved into the rocks were built in the fourth century BC.. In later periods, they were used by the Roman Empire.
These unique tombs were carved into the southern cliffs of Balıklar Mountain.. As a facade architecture, it is quite different from the facade architecture of the Mayan tombs found in the Urartu, Phrygian and Lycian regions.. They were built on a facade facing the temple.. These Kaounos king tombs, completely unique to the city of Kaunos, are unmatched anywhere else.. They also reflect the facade architecture of the Hellenic temple.. These tombs, which are extremely unique and unique, are among the must-see places for travelers.
The tombs resembling six temples on the right side of the rocks were carved into the rocks with the care of a sculptor.. With all their strength, they have been holding their place here for thousands of years.. With both their workmanship and their unique appearance, these tombs still contain the spirit of the period.. Visitors are amazed to examine these tombs, which are worth seeing even when viewed from a distance, to see how unique they are.
The Legend of the Ancient City of Kaunos
It has led to the emergence of many legends about the use of this city as a settlement in the archaic, classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.. The foundation of the city, which was abandoned after the Byzantine period, has been the subject of many legends.. The legend most often told by Roman poets and historians is the legend of the poet Ovidis.. When you read this legend, you will ask yourself the question of How to get to Kaunos?.
According to this legend, Byblis, who fell in love with Kaunos, wrote her a letter.. Openly expresses his feelings and emotions in the letter. Kaunos, on the other hand, meets these feelings towards him with anger and disgust.. Byblis is the twin brother of Kaunos.. Kaunos, who does not want to see him again, decides to leave his father’s country with his loved ones.. After that it sets off.
He will come to Kaunos and establish this city that will keep his name alive.. Byblis, on the other hand, wants to end his life because of the pain of his love, which he could not find.. Tries to end his life by throwing himself off a high rock. However, the water nymphs took pity on Byblis and did not let him die, turning him into a spring.. Byblis’ tears turn into rivers and flow endlessly.
According to ancient sources, the city of Kaunos became richer and stronger with the money it earned by exporting salted fish and the ships coming and going to its very safe and sheltered port.. Kaunos king tombs were built during this period.
How to Go to Kaunos ?
This ancient city and rock tombs in the Ortaca district of Muğla province can be reached by road or air.. The distance between Muğla and Ortaca is 78 kilometers.. If you prefer to go to this ancient city by bus, you should come to Ortaca bus station.. With the help of the minibuses departing from here, you can reach the ancient city within 15 to 20 minutes.
You can also easily reach directly from Marmaris.. The distance between Marmaris and Ortaca is 90 kilometers.. Those who want to come by public transport, not by private vehicle, can reach Köyceğiz with the Köyceğiz minibuses and easily reach the city and the rock tombs by taking the Dalyan minibus from there.
How to get to Kaunos? For those who are looking for an answer to their question by air, Dalaman airport will be the most suitable alternative.. Because this is the closest place to Ortaca.. You can come by direct flight from Istanbul or Ankara.. Afterwards, it is possible to reach the ancient city and rock tombs easily by using public transportation vehicles.
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