What is it? Why is it worth seeing?
Arikanda is one of the oldest towns in Lycia. The name of the town is translated from Luwian language as “a place near high cliffs.” The town existed already in the 5th century BC. In the II century BC, this town became a member of the Lycian League and even began to mint its own coin. In 43 AD, Arikanda becomes part of the Roman Empire. In 240, the city was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake but managed to revive. After the collapse of the empire, Arikanda passed into the hands of the Byzantines and remained in their power until the 9th century. Then the inhabitants began to leave the city gradually in order to move closer to the coast.
What can you see in Arikanda today?
You can see a complex of baths, which has no analogs in any Lycian town. It is a series of high stone arches. Here you can find sports gyms and public toilets with colored mosaics on the walls. There are the temples of Helios and Trayan on the territory of the baths.
The amphitheater consists of twenty rows of seats, divided into seven sectors. There are some places along the edges of the rows, where sun awnings might be held on. The remains of the Stadium are located above the theater.
Agora.
In ancient times, there were rows of shops there. Its ruins have survived only in the eastern part of the square.
Buleterion is a place where the city nobility gathered and resolved the state issues. It is very interesting, that the rows of seats were carved right into the rocks.
Odeon.
Remains of colored marble decorations are still on the walls and seats.
Necropolis.
The eastern Necropolis is unique for its rich burials with original sculptures. You can see the graves carved in stone, mausoleums, and sarcophagi persisted from different eras on the territory of the western Necropolis.
Who will like it?
For connoisseurs of history, lovers of antiquity, and everyone who wants to take a walk in a picturesque place. Mountain terraces slope down into the valley, and there are the cliffs with pines and cedars around. Extraordinary beauty!
How can you get there?
Arikanda is 58 km from the hotel. Therefore, it is better to go there by car.