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All Turkey Kaleüçağız Köyü Kekova Island Sunken Ruins

Kekova Island Sunken Ruins

Hidden just under the waters around this Turkish island are the ruins of a once great city.

Kaleüçağız Köyü, Turkey

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Osman Muslu
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Kekova Island Sunken Ruins   Seynaeve
Jetty   kasgulet / Atlas Obscura User
Kekova Island Sunken Ruins   brbl
Kekova Island   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
Lycian tombs   John Arns / Atlas Obscura User
Fort at Simena   John Arns / Atlas Obscura User
Kekova   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
Kekova   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Kekova   philoursmars / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Kekova Island   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Before the Ottomans, the Byzantines, or the Romans, this remote corner of Turkey was home to the world's first democratic federation, the remains of which are now sitting beneath the waves.

The Lycians were a peaceful federation of city-states, dating from around 2000 BCE, and included the sea-trading city of Simena. In the 2nd century CE, Simena was hit by a series of violent earthquakes and sank beneath the waves.

Today it is still possible to see the city ruins, clearly visible just a few meters below the clear waters of the Mediterranean. The ruins of Simena include a shipyard, foundations of public buildings,houses, and a couple of amphorae. Above the shoreline, further houses, a few Lycian tombs with their distinctive arched roofs, and the remains of an early church are visible. A stone staircase can also still be found descending into the calm waters.

Kekova Island, where the ruins are located, is now uninhabited, although a few goats can be spotted grazing among the ruins. Occasionally a villager rows across to harvest the wild thyme ("kekik") that gives the island its name. In 1990 the Turkish government declared Kekova Island and the surrounding region to be a Specially Protected Area, preserving it from further development. UNESCO also lists it as a "tentative" candidate for World Heritage status.

The stunning landscape surrounding is accessible only by boat, and you’ll be struck by it as you navigate through azure, crystal-clear waters.

Swimming, snorkeling, diving, and jet-skis are forbidden in the area around the sunken city; however, chartered boats are permitted to cruise above it at a slow pace, affording a good view of the ruins both above and below the waterline.

Related Tags

Islands Ruins Underwater

Know Before You Go

Kekova is accessible only by boat.

Community Contributors

Added By

kasgulet

Edited By

Blindcolour, Jake, TravelTurkeyGuide, Jaszmina Szendrey...

  • Blindcolour
  • Jake
  • TravelTurkeyGuide
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • EricGrundhauser
  • philoursmars
  • John Arns
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Lee Scott

Published

March 17, 2016

Edit this listing

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Sources
  • https://travelturkeyguide.com/kas-antalya-turkey-travel-guide/
  • http://lycianturkey.com/lycian_sites/kekova_simena.htm
  • http://www.tc-america.org/issues-information/us-turkey-relations/the-lycian-confederation-and-the-american-constitution-153.htm
  • https://kasgulet.com/day-tours/kekova-tour/
  • http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1411/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kekova
Kekova Island Sunken Ruins
Kekova Island
Kaleüçağız Köyü, 07570
Turkey
36.181343, 29.878628
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Lycian Tomb Uçagiz

Kaleüçağız Köyü, Turkey

miles away

Church of St. Nicholas

Demre, Turkey

miles away

Myra Necropolis

Demre, Turkey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kaleüçağız Köyü

Kaleüçağız Köyü

Turkey

Places 2

Nearby Places

Lycian Tomb Uçagiz

Kaleüçağız Köyü, Turkey

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Church of St. Nicholas

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kaleüçağız Köyü

Kaleüçağız Köyü

Turkey

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