|
|
|
| Kalkan |
| |
 |
A
small peaceful Mediterranean resort and fishing
town on the beautiful Turquoise Coast of Turkey.Kalkan
curls snuggly around an ancient harbour sheltered
at the foot of the towering Taurus Mountains.
The town overlooks a beautiful bay in which islands
seem to magically float upon the shimmering sea.
Narrow streets twist down to the harbour through
the historic town and are lined with listed whitewashed
villas with shuttered windows situated alongside
small local specialty shops and restaurants. Overhead
hang original ornately carved Ottoman timber balconies
garlanded with brilliantly coloured bougainvillea
cascading to the streets below. It is a very special
place.
|
AROUND KALKAN
EŞEN STREAM
 |
Eşen
Stream which flows alongside Fethiye-Kalkan highway,was
known in ancient times as Xsanthos,which Greek means
'yellow'.This river,which does not dry up even in
the summer,empties into the Mediterranean just west
of Patara Beach.You can rent canoes from travel
agencies and,starting from Xsanthos,paddle down
a 15 kilometer course.You can also experience the
excitement of white-water rafting. |
KALEKÖY,KEKOVA ISLAND,ÜÇAĞIZ
| Facing
kekova Island,Kaleköy is a small,but very unique
village that does not have any overland connection,thus
can only be reached by sea.because the jillage sits
on top of the ancient city of Sinema,building construction
is not allowed.You must really see the shores,the
sea and Kekova Island from the castle which was
supposedly constructed by the Knights of St.Jean.Situated
off the shore from Kaleköy,Kekova Island has no
year round inhabitants.Off the coast facing Kaleköy
are the famous ruins Batıkkent,a city that has been
submerged for thousands of years.Batıkkent was hit
by a tremendous earth quake that also shook Sinema
and Aperlai some 2,200 years ago.Because of thedanger
created by heavy motor vessel traffic betweenthe
ısland and the coast ,swimming |
|
| and diving is banned around
the area where ruins are located.Üçağız village
is popular for the nearby Termissa ruins and for
the variety of fish.The village has been under governmental
protection,thereby prohibiting further construction
in the area. |
KALKAN PLATEAUS
 |
By taking a shorts 15-20 minute drive out of Kalkan,you
can reach Bezirgan.At an altitude of 500 meters,khe
temperature on the Bezirgan Plateau does not rise
above 25'C,even during the hottest month of August.You
can spend a few hours on foot or on horseback,wandering
about this lush green plateau.You can get up to
the Gömbe Plateau by taking an Elmalı or Gömbe 'dolmuş'(shared
taxi). |
| You wiil hae reached the village of Gömbe in an
hours'time.You definitely have to trek on out to
see Uçarsu (The Flying Water).If you trek the 10
kilometer distance you'll also be able to see Yeşilgöl
(Green Lake).The renowned Gömbe Village Fair is
heid every year at the end of August. |
KAPUTAS BEACH
| Inthregion
bet ween Kaş and Kalkan,the mountaints reach down
to the sea,forming a rugged coast.Its here that
narrow canion opens to the sea where an unforgettable
beach is awaiting you. |
LETOON
 |
İt was the Lycian
Union's biggest religious center.Findings in the
excavations of this site indicated that the city,was
founded in the 8th century BC.The remains of the
city,which is near the village of Kınık,are scattered
around the skirt of the hill where the Helenistic
theater is found. |
PATARA
 |
| There
is the most significant harbor of Lycia among the
six large cities buried under the sands of famous
Patara Beach.It's not known when Patar was founded
or who is first inhabitants.Patar is known not only
for the ruins,but also for its beach.You can get
Patara from Malkan and it will take half an hour
by car.The beach stretches for 20 kilometers ,and
is renowned not only for its fine sand.The water
is quite shallow near the shore.You can also indulge
in windsurfing in the deeper waters as these shores
are almost never without wind. |
PINARA
 |
Founded by the
people of Xsanthos in the 5th century BC;Pınara
means 'round'in Lycian.The eastern facada of a rounded
rocky hill,is entirely covered with rocktombs.There
ere a theater,an acropolis,an agora,a temple and
baths,all buit in 2nd century BC. |
SAKLIKENT CANYON
 |
The Eşen Stream
passes through a deep, 17 kilometers long canyon
near the tnown of Kayadibi.You will enjoy the spectacular
view from the little wooden bridges and will have
an opporttunity to wade in the water.The canyon
narrows down after 200 meters and the current accelerates,making
it impossible to walk any further down the canyon. |
XSANTHOS
 |
 |
| About
17 kilometers north of Kalkan,you will encounter
the ruins of the famous city of Xsanthos,the administravite
center of Lycia.The English archeologist Charles
Fellows got special permission from the Ottoman
government in 1838 and started an excavation;he
then carried off the most important finds by warship
to England. |
|
|
|
