PART OF ANCIENT HiSTORY OF CAUNUS
The western end of turkey's Mediterranean coast; rich in ruins and spectacular scenery, with fiord-like bays and pine clad mountains; offes a special experience invisiting the ancient site of Caunus, at present being excavated by Turkish archaeologists.
Sherds dating from the ninth century B.C have been found on this site but existing ruins date from the Hellinic period (fifth century B.C.) to Roman and Byzantine times.
There is no evidence that the Greeks ever colonised Caunus and the process of Hellenising the area was begun by Mausolus, the Persian Satrap ( 377 to 353 B.C.) from Mausolus, whose tomb in present day Bodrum was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, comes the word "mausoleum". He was also responsible for the splendid fortifications we can see today.
In cities with non-Greek names it was the custom to invent a founder and so the story goes...That a ruler called Miletus had a son Caunus whose sister Byblis fell in love with him. When he rejected her she hanged herself and it is said that the river is formed by the tears of Byblis.
Abidin going in to the Lycian temple Tomb Looking at Lycian Temple Tombs.
Alexander the Great who defeated the Persians in 334 B.C. ruled the area until his death in 323 B.C. Troubled times followed. In 190 B.C. the Romans entered Asia Minor. Their government was not good and it wasn't until the Roman Republic was converted to the Empire in 27 B.C. that there was peace and a time of unparalleled prosperity followed, climaxing in the second century A.D.
Greek style of Roman Amphitheatre
From the third century A.D. prosperity declined due to incompetent rule, a plague lasting 15 years and an invasion by the Goths. Caunus had other problems too.Malaria was rife and the harbour was gradually silting up making it dangerous for ships. Increasing unrest in Asia Minor during Byzantine times ( from 330 A.D.) impoverished the city. The bronze statues of Caunus were melted down to make coins. The population gradually reverted to village life as it has remained to the present day.
However, as every year more and more of ancient Caunus is uncovered by archaeologists, it remains a site full of interest to visit and revisit. To explore this fascinating area, sardesdalyanrivercruise, with their team of experienced English-speaking guides, will take you in one ot their comfortable Turkish "kayiks" from your moorning in Ekincik Bay, along the beautiful rocky. Coast to the sand bar, marking the mouth of the Dalyan River.
Turtle beach and Dalyan delta
River mouth
The kayik will wind on through the tortuous reed-lined channels of the river delta ( an "African Queen" type experience ) to visit Caunus. After viewing the ruins you will continue on past rich cotton fields to the village of Dalyan and the spectacular fourth century B.C. Lycian rock tombs carved high in a cliff.
The picture part of the river from microlight.
"DALYAN" means fishery,and the river is studded with fish traps which catch the grey mullet as they return to the sea after spawning in the fresh water lake of Köyceğiz. Your guide can take you also plunge into the cool fresh water of the lake.
But if time is short - aimply visit Dalyan to go shopping ( they stock an excellent Turkish delight or Lokum - ask your guide where to go ), or have a delicious meal in one of the numerous restaurants there.
Relaxing Lunch on the water front Restaurant in DALYAN
Crossing the sand bar
