Arycanda

Arykanda was a city in Lycia (now Turkey) that have been proven by the sixth pre-Christian existed AD until the eleventh century. The ruins of the city, mainly from Roman times, are today a landmark of the province of Antalya.

Location

Arykanda located on the road between Finike and Elmalı, 32 km north of Finike. The ruins of the ancient city are located on terraces on a steep slope 710-820 m above sea level. The complex offers from all terraces wide views of the surrounding mountains and the valley. This ancient Delphi similar topography has entered the place the name Delphi Lycia.

History

First traces of settlement at the site date back to 2000 BC. The ancient city was founded by Lycians BC in the sixth century ( coins from the 5th century are the first evidence ) and was one of the cities of the Lycian Federation. From the 2nd century BC, the name appears in Roman sources, the inhabitants of the city are described as extravagant and wasteful. The further history divided the city with the rest of Lycia. Why the city, which was still a bishopric in the Byzantine period, was abandoned, is still unclear. The excavations in the area of the city continue to this day.

Plant

At the highest excavated terrace is the stadium, which has much smaller dimensions than the usual Roman systems with 170 m length. Seats for spectators, there is only on the mountain side of the stadium. At the same height, about 300 meters west of the stadium, are the ruins of Buleuterions, a stoa, several shops and a cistern. Below the stadium the 20 seats of the well-preserved theater in the middle part are carved directly into the mountain, and only the wings are built. On a deeper level is the original marble- clad Odeon, and before that, something deeper, the Agora. On the next level down is the necropolis with tombs, which are built in the style of temples in part. The gymnasium and the baths are located below the necropolis.

Theater

Tomb with the head of Medusa

Mosaic floor from the Roman era