Kekova is a heaven on earth
which combines magnificence both natural and historical. People
who take the famed blue sea voyage tour can easily have access
to this place and anchor their yachts in this secure spot. For
them, Kekova holds several incredibly beautiful scenes. You
can hire a boat from Kas or Kale Çayagzi if you want to
go to Kekova from the sea. After Kas, you will pass
Uluburun and then see the Siçak Peninsula. There is the ancient
city of Aperlai on the Siçak dock and on the end of the peninsula,
there are two islands, namely Toprakada and Karaada. This
one is followed by Kokova island. This island gives its name
to the entire region.
This island is partially submerged
into the water because of earthquakes throughout history,
and it is also known as the “Sunken City.” Across from
Kekova island, there is Kaleköy and a little further,
a quiet bay at the Üçagiz village, ideal for yachts.
On the Fenike-Kas highway, if you follow the road signs
to Kekova, after driving 19 kilometers you will find
yourself in a true natural wonder, Üçagiz. History,
nature and modern daily life are intermingled in this
marvelous piece of land.
Aperlai and the sunken city on Siçak
Port, Simena in Kaleköy, Theimussa in Üçagiz and Istlada
on Gökkaya Bay are very close to each other. Besides
these ancient cities on the coast, there is Apollania
in Kiliçli and the ancient city of Tyberissos in Çevreli
two kilometers away from Üçagiz. Tyberissos is located
on top of a 365-meter-high hill facing a valley which
was called Tirmisin in olden times. On the lower parts
of the hill, there are about a dozen Lycian sarcophagi
and Lycian rock tombs that look something like pigeons’
nests. All these were constructed in Hellenistic and
Roman times. The ancient city is built on two summits
of the hill. On the northern summit, there is the acropolis
of the city. On the southern summit, there is a church
built like the Temple of Apollo in Doric style, using
the stones of the temple. If you go four kilometers
from Çevreli to Kapakli, you will reach a place called
Inisdibi. On the eastern part of this area, if you walk
for 10 minutes to the seaside,
you can see the Islada ancient city
with its interesting sites. Since the cities here were
relatively small, a few of them united to be represented
in the Lycian Union. For example, Aperlai, Simena, Apolloia
and Isinda were represented in this union. Two kilometers
after Çevreli, you will reach Kekova, a heavenly place.
This road ends in Üçagiz. If you hire a boat, you might
see Simena, the Sunken City in Kaleköy and Aperlia at
the Siçak Port.
Kekova Island
Kekova Island is a large island in front of the village
of Kale, and it gives its name to the region. Boats
can dock at Tersane Bay which is at the end of the island.
There is the apse of a Byzantine church here. The island
is full of remains, but unfortunately we know little
about its history because no excavations have been done
here. To the right of Tersane Bay, there are shops submerged
beneath the water and to its left, the remains of the
sunken city also gaze at you from under the water. On
the coast, houses are half sunken in the water and their
stairs go down beneath the sea. You can even see the
foundation of buildings under the sea.