Xanthos River Kayak Trip ( 2-day kayak trip - 30 miles)
Please also ask for the 5-day and/or 8-day versions of this trip
“ The Persian Army entered the plain of Xanthos under the command of Harpagos, and did battle with the Xanthians. The Xanthians fought with small numbers against the superior Persians forces, with legendary bravery. They resisted the endless Persian forces with great courage, but were finally beaten, their womenfolk, children, slaves and treasures into the fortress.This was then set on fire from, below and around the walls , until destroyed by conflagration. Then the warriors of Xanthos made their final attack on the Persians, their voices raised in calls of war, until every last man from Xanthos was killed…”
Herodotos
The Xanthos(Xanthus) River was the longest and largest river in Lycia and the main water supply for many of the Lycian cities. It begins about 25 miles inland and empties into the sea at Patara. In Lycian times, like today, the river provided the people of the Xanthos valley with rich, fertile soil for planting as well as lush wildlife. The Xanthos valley is long and relatively wide for river valleys in Lycia - fifteen to twenty kilometers for most of its length. Communication between cities in the valley was easy and this area was the political center of Lycia for much of antiquity. Four of the most important cities of Lycia were located here: Tlos, Xanthos, Pinara and Patara, most of them located on the slopes of the flanking mountain ranges. Central Lycia is a completely different territory, consisting mainly of a large number of small valleys separated by mountain ridges. This led to the large number of independent cities in antiquity. Many Lycian cities lay along the coast as well, as Lycia had a powerful naval force and traded by sea.
Seventeen kilometres along the Kalkan-Fethiye road there is a road that leads through Kınık following the bank of the Eşen Stream, leading to the ancient city of Xanthos. It is believed the history of Xanthos, the capital of Lycian Union, goes as far back as 1,200 BC. It was written that in those times the Lycians fought in the Trojan War, under the command of an officer from Xanthos. It is said that the people of Xanthos were courageous and great warriors.
The historian Herodotus, in reference to war in 545 BC against the invading Persians, wrote, " When the Persian army came onto the Xanthos plain under the rule of their commander, although they were very few in numbers against the unending large numbers of the Persians, the people of Xanthos kept fighting. They gained a reputation for their heroism but they have lost the war against them. They placed all the women, children, treasures and slaves into the castle. Then they set it on fire. Such was the fire that has destroyed everything. It was after that they took a binding oath and began fighting the enemy. All died in the fighting."
Although Xanthos was frequently destroyed by fires or wars every time it was rebuilt. The city was destroyed completely in the Roman era by Brutus and but was reconstructed by another Roman commander, Marc Antonius. In the Byzantine era Xanthos was a centre of a bishopric, though it was finally abandoned after a series of Arab attacks.
If you go to Xanthos through Kınık the first remains you encounter is a part of the Hellenistic gate on your right. To the left of the road there is an arch dedicated to the Roman emperor Vespasian, a gift in thanks for his great contributions to the city. The ruins you will see a bit further up on your right are what is left of the magnificent Nereids Monument, the most impressive pieces of which were taken to England by ship in 1841-1842. Today these pieces have been restored and the monument is on display in the 7th hall of the British Museum. If you head to the left towards the acropolis past the walls you come to the theatre. After this you will see the Lycian tombs that have become the symbol of Xanthos and the Harpies Monument above the tombs. Since the statues of the monument were taken to England, what you see today are plaster copies of the originals. The original Harpies Monument is also on exhibit in the British Museum.
British Museum
The British Museum is one of London's top attractions, with a mission to "illuminate the histories of cultures for present and future generations". There are world-class collections from civilisations across the globe, with particularly popular galleries devoted to the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Ancient Greeks.Further exhibits include Ancient Greek sculptures from the Parthenon (the Elgin Marbles), the Nereid Monument from Xanthos in Turkey, sculptures from the mausoleum at Halikarnassos and one of the most comprehensive collections of the ancient Near East. This is the period from prehistoric times to the coming of Islam in seventh-century Mesopotamia and features fabulous winged beasts and the sculpted bearded warriors who guarded the gates to Babylon.
At the Lycian acropolis there are also the remains of the agora and a Byzantine basilica. Once you get to the acropolis take in the view. The hill that overlooks the plain is the site of the ruins of the ancient Lycian palace.
On the right of the road in Xanthos and opposite the acropolis there is a Roman acropolis, where you can see a Byzantine basilica, rock tombs, the Pillar Monument and the ruins of a tomb with lion reliefs.
This ancient city was founded on a hill that rises up behind the village of Kinik., next to Esen River. This river divides the provinces of Mugla and Antalya from each other as a natural border, as well as dividing west Anatolia from North and dividing the Egean Sea from the Mediterranean. It was here the first united republic was founded. Each town within the Lycian Union was represented, in accordance to their town”s importance, by one, two or three delegates, in the capital town of Xanthos. The inhabitants of Xanthos were brave and freedom-loving people. They gained a reputation by their unbelievable resistance in war times. In this town dignity was an important value so this may explain the large number of hero monuments. These are partly still preserved and are regarded as Xanthos” symbols.
The Lycian town Xanthus, situated on a high hill near a river with the same name, was captured by the Persian commander Harpagus in the mid-sixth century BCE. Although many people were killed, the town was repopulated and prospered in during the Persian age, which lasted until the conquests of Alexander the Great (334). It successively belonged to the Ptolemaean, Seleucid, Rhodian and Roman empires. In 42 BCE, the city was sacked by the Roman general Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar.
SAKLIKENT
GORGE
High in the mountains above Fethiye, rushing torrents of icy cold
water cut a narrow gorge through the mountains over thousands of
years, creating Saklıkent Gorge. A natural wonder, the resulting
canyon is 300 meters deep and 18 kilometers long and offers visitors
one of the most breathtaking excursions in all of Turkey.
A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklıkent Gorge is a favourite
picnic spot where rustic restaurants overhanging the river serve
delectable fresh trout and other local delicacies.
TLOS
Spectacular in the spring with snow on the mountains that stand tall behind the theatre, it's an interesting Lycian site in Asia Minor because of the presence of the Ottoman fortress of "Bloody Ali" (Kanli Ali), a local brigand in addition to the Lycian and Roman remains.
The 19th century archaeologist Charles Fellows who rediscovered Tlos, and several other nearby sites, had this to say about the approach to Tlos. The whole ride down this upper valley is beautiful and varies continually; it's scenery, on approaching the bold Greek like situation of the ancient city of Tlos, is strikingly picturesque.
Nice to approach on foot if you feel up to it. A dolmus (local transportation) running along the little road that serves Xanthos and Saklikent can drop you at the bottom of the access road and the 4km hike gives you a feeling for the situation of the city. It's the sort of site you can take in quickly or linger on for an afternoon.
Here you can see the Tomb of Bellephoron. The carvings on the tomb represent Tlos' main claim to archaeological significance, unfortunately rather to often frequented by goats. Another feature is Yedikapi, The seven doors or gates. Following signs for the Hamam or baths you'll come to a very dramatic set of seven arches overlooking the whole valley. Don't miss The Theatre. Some charming carvings scattered about and the backdrop of the mountain range and the valley is hard to beat for spectacle.
PATARA
At about 10 km beyond Kalkan on the Kalkan - Fethiye highway you turn south and continue another 10 km along the road to Patara. The painted ceramics found in the acropolis prove that the city existed in the 5th century B.C. Patara opened its doors to Alexander the Great, thereby earning the status of an important harbor city of Lycia in Anatolia, in addition to having been the birthplace of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra. The triple gateway through which one enters Patara is thought to have been built in 100 A.D. One of its most important edifices is its theatre which is now buried in the sand.
Today there is also the longest sandy beach of Turkey in Patara.
To reach Letoon, you turn west one kilometer beyond the road from Kinik to Fethiye and continue 5 km. The history of Letoon is closely linked with that of Xanthos. It is known to have been one of the most important religious centers of the Lycian region in Anatolia, Turkey. Due to the rising water level, archaeological digs have been suspended. The remains unearthed indicate they belong to the period between the 7th century B.C. and the 6th century A.D. The most important edifice is the Greek style theater which has been preserved until our day. You can also see the foundations of the temples of Leto, Artemis and Apollo.
NEW TESTAMENT
....Paul was not only born and raised in Turkey; most of his ministry years took place in Turkey!.......
....Paul changed ships in the port of Patara on his voyage from Miletus to Tyre. Patara has magnificent city gates and a large theatre. On the voyage to Rome, with Paul as prisoner, the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy in the port city of Myra, which also has a gigantic theatre and extensive cliff graves......
.....Paul encouraged the elders of Ephesus in Miletus before sailing off to Jerusalem. Miletus boasts a theatre seating 25,000. In the ruins of Xhanthos, you can study a tall stone monument covered with hieroglyphics which have never been deciphered. There is also a large theatre where they had bull fights and other events.....
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242 836 3614
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