Ancient Sites of Mugla Province, Türkiye

Mugla province, located on the coast of the Aegean Sea in southwestern Türkiye, has been home to numerous civilizations throughout history. Among its early inhabitants were the ancient Anatolian Carians and the Leleges, described in Homer’s Iliad as allies of the Trojans. The region’s historical richness is reflected in its vast collection of ancient ruins.

Stratonikeia: City of Lovers and Gladiators

Stratonikeia, one of the most important towns of ancient Caria, was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2015. Founded in the 3rd century BC by Seleucid King Antiochus I Soter, the city was named after his wife, Stratonike.

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Today, visitors can explore numerous Classical and Hellenistic ruins, including:

• Acropolis
• City gate
• Bouleuterion
• Agora
• Theatre
• Large gymnasium
• Well-preserved tombs

Additionally, the site boasts inscriptions, such as an ancient calendar from the early 1st century BC and a Latin price list from AD 301. Nearby, the village of Eskihisar showcases impressive Ottoman architecture.

Halicarnassus: The Legacy of King Mausolus

Situated on the Bodrum Peninsula, Halicarnassus was the capital of Caria in the 4th century BC. The city housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus—a grand tomb built for King Mausolus, from which the term “mausoleum” originates. Though little remains of the Mausoleum, its ruins are still accessible.

Notable historical sites include:

• The Mausoleum of Hecatomnus (added to UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2012)
• The medieval Bodrum Castle, built by the Knights of St. John
• The world’s largest museum of underwater archaeology
• The ancient city of Pedesa, the former capital of the Leleges

Tlos: The Lycian Stronghold

Located near Saklıkent Gorge, Tlos was one of Lycia’s largest and most significant settlements. The site features:

• An ancient acropolis and medieval fortress
• Lycian rock-cut tombs, including one dedicated to the mythological hero Bellerophon
• Temples, an ancient theatre, an agora, Roman baths, a stadium, and a basilica

Telmessos: The Gateway to Caria

Once the last major Lycian city before entering Caria, Telmessos is now partially buried beneath modern Fethiye. Key attractions include:

• A theatre discovered in 1993
• The 4th-century BC Tomb of King Amynas, one of Türkiye’s most impressive Lycian tombs

Kaunos: A Unique Cultural Blend

Originally a thriving port town, Kaunos is now located inland due to silting over time. The city had a distinct culture, as noted by Herodotus, and later fell under various conquerors. Visitors can explore:

• The agora, Aphrodite Euploia’s shrine, and a nymphaeum
• The Upper Terrace with Roman baths, a theatre, and a palaestra
• Excavated structures from earlier periods

Knidos: A Maritime Hub

At the tip of the Reşadiye Peninsula, Knidos was an ancient Carian city strategically positioned for sea trade. The city was famous for:

• The first naked statue of Aphrodite by Praxiteles
• The architect Sostratos, designer of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
• The Temple of Aphrodite, two harbors, an agora, a theatre, and a sundial

Euromos: Home to the Temple of Zeus Lepsynos

Situated on the İzmir-Milas route, Euromos dates back to the 7th century BC. The site features:

• City walls, a theatre, and Roman baths
• The Temple of Zeus Lepsynos, one of Anatolia’s best-preserved temples

Other Notable Ancient Sites in Mugla

Mugla is home to several other ancient sites, including:

• Letoon: The religious center of Xanthos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Labraunda: A Carian city with well-preserved temples, shrines, and tombs
• Cadianda and Pinara: Lycian cities with rock-cut tombs, theatres, and stadiums
• Oenoanda: Known for Diogenes of Oenoanda’s Epicurean inscriptions, as well as fortifications and Roman-era structures

Kayaköy: A Modern Abandoned Town

Unlike Mugla ancient ruins, Kayaköy offers a more recent historical experience. The town, abandoned in 1923, retains:

• 19th- and early 20th-century cobblestone streets
• Painted houses, a large school building, churches, and chapels

Mugla province is a treasure trove of history, offering visitors an immersive journey through ancient civilizations and architectural marvels.