Archaeological sites

[Hector]

While we're in Icmeler in June we'll hire a car for a few days. We'd like to visit archaeological sites, site of antiquity, that sort of thing. Are there any such sites within a reasonable drive of Icmeler?

[tinkerbelle]

I suppose it depends on what you term a reasonable drive. Popular one is Ephesus/ Pamukkale which is normally done over night with very reasonable cost as an excursion. At least that way you get to look at the scenery. Go onto the ICR site and click excursions.
Knidos is at the end of the Bozberun (SP) peninsular past Datca and many people on here can tell how long that would take to drive, I think Colette has driven down there. There is also the Lycean rock tombs by Dalyan. I am sure there are many others in the area. If I think of more I will come back to you.
Happy hols
Marg

[Hector]

Thanks Marg. I'll look these places up.

[Colette]

I've driven down to Datca twice, takes about 2 hours, but is quite a straight run, with lovely sites to see en route

[shaz]

Here are a few Archaeoligical sites you may like to visit if renting a car .

Bybassios What remains of the ancient city of Bybassios can be seen in the village of Orhaniye, on the Erine road towards Bozburun, southwest of Marmaris. The ruins of the ramparts are found inside the forest.

Saranda (Sogut) Near the village of Sogut, 45 km of Marmaris, Saranda still has the characteristics of being a continuous settlement during the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantium periods, the latter of which clearly has remains today.

Castabus (Pazarlık) Near the village of Hisarlik are the ancient ruins of Pazarlik, a holy site which can be reached from Mount Eren with an hour’s climb from Hisaronu plains. The temple is on a purpose-built platform dating back to 4th century BC. Apart from the Temple, only the ruined amphitheatre in the south can be defined.

Erine The ruins of Erine are 3km from the Hisaronu village, 20km southwest of Marmaris, and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman period

Amos The ancient ruins of Amos are accessible from the Asarcik hill, northwest of Kumlubuk bay. Amos dates back to the Hellenistic period, and is composed of a hillside amphitheatre, a temple and statue pedestals. Surrounded by ramparts dating back to the same time, this amphitheatre is in good condition, with its seating area, side walls and stage with three chambers. Excavations in 1948 by Prof. Bean revealed four inscriptions, which mentioned three rental contracts, thought to date back to around 200BC. There is a minibus running from Turunc to Kumlubuku which passes through Amos.

Loryma (Bozukkale) The ruins at Loryma, once part of the foundations of Rhodes, was founded originally in the region known as Oplosica (artillery smith), the waterside thicket on the southwest of the Bozburun peninsula 40km from Marmaris. The most impressive structure in the settlement area is the well-preserved reinforcement at the entrance of the bay at Burunbasi. Nine rectangular towers, made from smooth rock-cut masonry, are built at the edge of Rhodes (Rodos) island. Today, only the balcony tower at the northern end can still be seen.

[Hector]

Thanks Marg, Colette & Shaz. That's a good start. Over to Google Earth to find them now.

[fatblokecaver]

Hi
We visited Knidos last year, it was fantastic.
We hired a local taxi (used by our apartments owner) and it cost about £40 for the day. It was a nice 2 hour run out but for anyone thinking of driving it beware the roads are very hairy towards the site of Knidos.
The site is on a hill and is quite a walk but worth it. If you look below the thin coat of dust on some of the floors you can still see some mosaics. There is an amphetheatre and one of the biggest sundials I have ever seen. There is only one place to eat there which is a little bit expensive but does do superb seafood and meze to die for.
I have some piccies of the place if you want to see them (dont know how to put them on here).
The whole site has been ravaged by earthquakes but it is well worth a visit.

Peter