Ancient Tlos
Turkey is occasionally referred to as "the cradle of civilization", with historic and cultural ruins dating back thousands of years. One Turkish site with a rich history is the city of ancient Tlos. While most of the city's recorded history dates back to Lycian times (500 to 300 BC), there is evidence that the area has been occupied since the Bronze Age (3300 to 1200 BC). And, it was continually inhabited until the 19th century. That's a history of nearly 5000 years!
Tlos was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary list in 2009.
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The Tlos Ruins
Tlos was one of the oldest and largest Lycian settlements, maintaining its importance when the region became a Roman state (43 AD). It was located at the junction of many ancient roads.
The ruined city is dominated by an imposing acropolis, surrounded by a variety of structures built during the city's long and varied history.
- Acropolis – the natural fortress located on the slope of Akdağ Mountain includes:
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- Ottoman castle – the castle is a relatively new addition to the city, built in the 14th century by a feudal lord called Kanlı Ali Ağa ("Bloody Chief Ali"). It was likely built on the foundation of older buildings, but little is known about them.
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- Ottoman stable – Ali also built a large stable for his horse breeding operation on a flat plot of land just below his castle.
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- Necropolis – Dozens of Lycian rock tombs are carved into the rocky base of the acropolis and a few scattered Roman and Lycian sarcophagus tombs surround the castle.
Located a bit distant from the bulk of the rock tombs used to house the remains of Tlos' mortal inhabitants, is a large temple tomb built to honor Bellerephon. He was a mythological hero credited with taming Pegasus (the winged horse) and killing the fire-breathing, 3-headed Chimera. (We spotted the tomb from the road, but were unable to access it for safety reasons. In the photo below, you can see it just above the tree line on the right side of the acropolis.)
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- Stadium – When archaeologists commenced their study of Tlos, the stadium was literally a cultivated field. Since then, they've removed farming debris and unearthed a massive flat area used for sporting events and games. There were 9 rows of seating carved into the rock on the west side of the stadium. (Only about 150 meters of seating are still visible, additional sections were likely destroyed by earthquakes in the region.) The stadium also featured a shallow pool and fountain. Given the adornment, is believed that the area was used for religious and social events (perhaps before the theatre was built), not just athletic events.
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- Public Baths – two bath houses, including a Grand Bath with 7 windows which overlooks the Xanthos valley and a smaller bath immediately adjacent to the stadium.
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- Paleasta (the sports school) and Gymnasium
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- Agora – According to the on-site signage, "the agora was the focus of commercial, political and administrative lives [of the local citizenry], and the center of social and cultural activities in the city". Most of it now lays in organized / catalogued ruin between the church and basilica.
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- Temple – Corinthian-style temple honouring Kronus, the Greek God of Time, built in 2nd century BC
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- Basilica – large, cross-shaped basilica
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- Theatre – A modern day road separates the theatre from the rest of Tilos site, which sits in a majestic spot surrounded by mountains. While there has been significant damage to the structure through the years, the theatre is still recognizable, with gorgeous carvings and reliefs readily visible to the untrained eye. Construction of the Roman-style theatre took over 150 years, and was paid for by donations from local philanthropists. It had a 5600 seating capacity.
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Visiting Tlos
Entrance Fees
The open air museum of Tlos is part of the extensive network of museums managed by the Turkish government. The entrance fee is 12.5TL (2021 price) and visitors with a Muze Card can enter for free.
Many of the artifacts found at Tlos, including statues, a bronze axe, arrowheads, and flint cooking utensils, have been relocated to the Fethiye museum for safekeeping and protection from the elements.
Getting To Tlos
Tlos is just a short drive from Fethiye – about 35 KM. There is limited parking in a proper "parking lot", and most cars simply pull over to the side the narrow and riding road which passes through the site. During the summer, many tour operators offer a visit to Tlos as part of a day trip from Fethiye, which also includes stops at Yakapark and Saklikent Gorge.
Accessibility
While most of the site is located on a relatively flat plain, Tlos is definitely not accessible by those with mobility challenges. Fortunately, many of the ruins can be seen from the road and nearby cafes. For those who want a closer look, the climb to the peak of the acropolis was easier than anticipated. But, be forewarned that there are no hand rails and the weathered stairs to the peak can be slippery. Take care and go slowly – the view from the top is worth it!
The Site of Ancient Tlos: Some Photos of Our Visit
Updated January 30, 2021
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Sources Accessed for this Article
- A. N. Dinçer and I. Malkoç - Guide for Travellers: Tlos Ancient City and Environment, 1st edition, 2012.
- Taner Korkut - Tlos: A Lycian City on the Slopes of the Akdağ Mountains, 1st edition, 2016.
- Wikipedia – Tlos.
- Erdal Yazıcı - On the Lycian Way, 1st edition, 2012.