Myra Ancient City

Myra Ancient City – Antalya

Myra Ancient City is located in and around today’s Demre district of Antalya, built on the fertile plain that bears its name. Rock-cut tombs, Lycian inscriptions, and coins indicate that Myra existed as early as the 5th century BC. According to the ancient geographer Strabo, Myra was one of the six major cities of the Lycian League with three voting rights and was known as Myrrh in Lycian inscriptions. The city is especially famous for its Lycian rock tombs, Roman-era theater, and the Church of Saint Nicholas built during the Byzantine period.

The 2nd century AD marked a major period of development for Myra. As the metropolis of the Lycian League, many public buildings were constructed and restored with the support of wealthy Lycian benefactors. During the Byzantine era, Myra became one of the region’s leading cities both administratively and religiously. Its lasting fame is largely due to Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus), who served as the city’s bishop in the 4th century AD and was later canonized, with a church built in his honor.

From the 7th century onward, Myra gradually declined due to earthquakes, flooding, sediment carried by the Demre River, and Arab raids. By the 12th century, the once-great city had been reduced to a small settlement.

Today’s visible remains consist mainly of the Roman theater located on the southern slope of the acropolis and the impressive rock-cut tombs on both sides. Research shows that beyond the well-preserved Roman walls, remnants of Hellenistic and even 5th-century BC fortifications can still be found on and around the acropolis hill. The Roman theater is remarkably well preserved, with its stage building standing up to half of the second floor. On either side of the theater, elaborately carved or plain rock tombs are arranged dramatically along the cliffs.

The rock tombs of Myra represent some of the finest examples of how Lycian wooden house architecture was adapted into stone. Many tombs feature reliefs depicting the deceased and their families, while others bear inscriptions carved directly into the rock face. Nearby bath ruins along the road leading to the ancient city center offer early and intriguing examples of Roman brick architecture.

Myra’s connection to the sea was provided by a navigable canal west of the Myros River (today’s Demre Stream). Maritime trade and transportation were conducted through the nearby port of Andriake (Çayağzı). The city’s water supply was ensured through rock-cut channels carved along the valley of the Demre River.

As one of the six Lycian League cities with three voting rights, Myra was honored with the title “the most splendid city,” highlighting its historical importance. Coins minted in Myra depict the city’s principal goddess Artemis in the form of Kybele, one of Anatolia’s oldest mother goddesses. Myra also holds special significance in Christianity, as it was visited by Saint Paul and later became the capital of the Lycian province in the 5th century AD.

Myra is included in the “Ancient Cities of the Lycian Civilization (Antalya and Muğla)”, which has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2009.

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DAY 1 – Departure at the airport and arrival at the hotel

DAY 2 – Visit the main museums and lunch included

DAY 3 – Excursion in the natural oasis and picnic

DAY 4 – Transfer to the airport and return to the agency

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– Travel cancellation insurance

– Breakfast and dinner included

– Health care included

– Transfer to the airport and return to the agency

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