Everything about kalkan region
 

XANTHOS
The name Xanthus brings Homer to mind: in fact the river, which bears the same name and which in Greek means yellow, is mentioned in the Iliad because it is from here that Arpedonte left at the .head of his troups. Today the valley is known as Esen Cay.
Discov ered in 1838 by the archaeologist Charles Fellows, it is the oldest town in Lycia and must have existed at the time of the epic war described by Homer. Its name is also associated with another event: it was a free, independent town until 545 B.C., when it was besieged by the Persian army led by Harpagus. When they saw they were doomed to defeat they preferred to take their lives rather than fall to the enemy. Acbord- ing to Hertidotus, the men first of all killed the women and children, before setting fire to the citadel where they had gathered together all their worldy possessions.
 

PATARA
Patara is famous on two accounts: as the birth-place of St. Nicholas who has entered into Christian tradi- tion as Father Christmas and for having long been the seat of a famous oracle to Apollo. It was Herodotus who wrote about the importance of the oracle, second only to that of Delphi: it only func- tioned, so to speak, during the six winter months, when the God sojourned there; Apollo spent the re- maining six summer months at the Delphic Oracle. Founded, according to legend, by Patarus, son of Apollo and the nymph Lycia during the Sth century B.C., its Lycian name was Pttara or Pttaraze. It was also called Arsinae, when it fell under Egyptian rule and Ptolemy II changed its name in honour of his sis- ter whom he also married. Thanks to its geographic position, it was one of the main trading and naval ports of Lycia, before it was entirely silted up to form a wide beach.

KAŞ
Coming from inland, we are dazzled by the magnifi- cent view from above the bay of Kaş, one of the most famous tourist resorts along the southern coast of Tur- key. But it is also famous from the historic point of view because Kaş was originally the ancient town of Antiphellus, harbour of the town of Phellus which stood in front of it. Founded during the 6th century B.C., it soon became an important trading port and - according to Pliny - it was used for exporting wood from the green forest that covered Lycia. On the top of the hill, offering a view over the creeks and inlets, stands the Greek theatre, built during the lst century B.C. but probably extended during the 3rd century A.D.
 

KEKOVA
The long, narrow island of Kekova and archaeological sites that surround it are one of the most characteristic settings along this part of the coast. Separated from the mainland by an arm of sea, since ancient times it has been safe for anchoring: once upon a time for pirate or Roman ships, and nowadays for the tourist boats that find a dream-world here. The ancient towns of Aperloi, Simena and Teimiussa have been turned into ruins, partly submerged by the water; therefore one can swim in the crystal clear water brushing against remains of walls or a Lycian sar- cophagus which seems to emerge from the waves as if by magic.

SAKLIKENT
Antalya is known for its mild winters and where bathing is possible most of the year. However, at a distance of only 45 km. from Antalya and at a height of 3000 m. on the Sakli summer pastures is Saklikent, where winter sports are possible during the winter months.
 

MYRA
Situated between Finike and Kas, Myra is 25 kms. from Finike and 48 kms. from Kas. It was one of the most important cities among the other six Lycian cities. It was settled in the 5th century B.C. Although it was originally a coastal town, it has retreated from the sea because of the alluvium from the Demre stream. It was abandoned in the 9th century A.D. after the Arab invasion. The rock tombs, the theatre and St. Nicholas Church have survived to make it a place worth visiting.

The first Father Christmas symposium ever held in Antalya was between 5-7 December 1983. This is now held annually and is attended by religious and scientific people from all over the world. In these symposiums, in keeping with Anatolia's St. Nicholas' love for humanity, a call is made to people of different religions and beliefs for peace, friendship and brotherhood.

FETHİYE
Fethiye, has a wonderful historical wealth. It's not only the far history I mean, but also the near history. In the far history, some of the civilisations which ruled Fethiye Region, are Lycian, Roman civilisations. They left lot's of wonderful remains all around Fethiye. In the near history, (before 1. world war.) in the village called Kaya or Kayaköy (Karmylassos), Greek people used to live in peace under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. There used to be about 3000 buildings, 5 doctors, 3 pharmacies, 1 school, 2 big churches, more than 10 small monastries. The settling of this village (the Greek settlement) date the 15th century. The small church downtown, dates 1888. The other church (the bigger one up the hill) said to be built before the small one.

PINARA
The Lycian name of this ancient town was Pinale, meaning round. In fact, according to Manecrates - a 4th century historian -, the townsfolk of Xanthus thought that their city was overpopulated. So they split up into three groups, one of which settled on a height, founding Pinara. In any case, this town already existed during the Sth century B.C. Strabo maintained that the town was so important that it posed a threat to the Ly- cian Federacy together with Olympos, Myra, Tlos, Xanthus and Patara.
It was conquered, together with the latter two by Alexander the Great in 334 B.C. Pinara is full of all types of tombs some of which fea- ture pillars with facades hewn out of the rock. The theatre is also in a good state of repairs. Dating back to the 2nd century B.C., it could accommodate 3,200 spectators and consists of 27 rows divided into nine wedgeshaped sectors by ten flights of steps.