Kolophon (Degirmendere) is one of the twelve fon cities. Although it had a strong navy and cavalry force, it has suffered many wars and has been ruled by forces of Lydia, Persia and Macedonia even at times by sea pirates. When Kolophon was destroyed by Lysimakhos in 302 B.C. its neighbouring city, Notion (Ahmetbeyli) gained importance. This city which claimed Homer’s citizenship was also famous with its Klaros Temple and the oracle centre.
Astra archaic city is located in Temasalik Hill location of Bolat Area of Hadim District of Konya Province.Upon its being subject to big illegal excavations, it has been taken under protection with a guard and has been converted into a ruin place connected to Konya Museum Directorate. But in 1955, its guard has retired.
With the asphalt road turning to west from the crossroads that is 17 km to Hadim on Konya - Hadim highway, Bolat Area is reached and from there, with a 6 km stabilized road, At Location is reached. Thereafter, by walking on a steep and rough path for approximately 4 km, Temasalik Hill, where Astra is located, is reached.
Astra archaic city has been first found in 1885 by Sterret. Sterret has worked only on inscriptions and 7 inscriptions have been found. From these inscriptions, it has been learned that the name of the city was Astra. Then Miss Hereward has found 2 inscriptions, and Mitford has found 16 new inscriptions in 1966. In 1992, in Astra city, where no scientific studies have been carried out except reading a few inscriptions, cleaning and drilling works have been started by a commission under the chairmanship of Archeologist Osman Ermisler. The works have been continued in 1993 and 1994. The plan of the city has been determined, its plundered appearance has been eliminated, although partially, and its structures have been completed. The church and auditorium have been brought to light as the result of the excavations made and the plans and relieves of them have been prepared. Two typical Isaura -character graves have been opened in the necropolis. As the result of reading the inscriptions, it has been evidenced that the city had an administration special to it and it was a town connected to Isaura. The ceramic furnace found shows that ceramics were produced in Roman Period in Astra.
Astra archaic city is in the northern part of Toros Mountains, in Isaura region. It forms a triangle with other important cities of Isaura state, namely Isaura and Astanada and these cities can be seen with naked eye from Astra. An inscription relating to a donation made by a rich man from Isaura has proved its relation with Isaura. From two Antiocheia coins belonging to Roman Period, it has been understood that this place had commercial relationships with Pisidiae Antiocheia.
The city is located on the flattop of Temasalik Hill, lying in east- west direction, this hill has a height of 1760 m from sea level. Important structures are placed on two sides of the agora lying in the form of a large area in east - west direction, in the middle of the top. On the eastern, southern and northern skirts of the hill surrounded by city walls constructed with rubble stones without mortar, a big number of civil structures and houses are grouped. There are two necropolises, one of which is in the east and the other in the west. There are many ash boxes, stels and grave lions in the necropolises. In the west of the western necropolis and on the eastern skirts of Kuralan Hill, the plateau houses of Bolat Village are located. These plateau houses having a single room, made of simple piled rubble stone without mortar and plaster have been started to be constructed 80 -100 years ago and the houses are about to be ruined.
The road starting from the Devler Gedigi Plain, where western necropolis is located, reaches the mid part of the city wall from the southern skirt of Temasalik Hill. It is a sloped and narrow road, the shoes of the entrance door of the city are in place, its upper arch and other parts are on the ground. Through the door, agora is entered. On the southern edge of Agora, the bazaar structure is located, after that, towards east, the ruins of Zeus Astragos temple are seen. In the western part of the agora, there are two heroon ruins across the door. At the western end of the agora, the high fort, which is surrounded with wall is located. The fort is reached through an arched door from the east. In the northern part of the fort, a second temple ruin is seen. This is understood to be a temple from the inscription obtained in it.
On the northern side of Agora, an auditorium belonging to the Roman Period is located. In the east of 2/3 circle planned auditorium having nine steps and eight meter diameter, a church has been constructed in 5th - 6th century AD. The church has a three - neph basilica plan. It has been found as the result of cleaning. Auditorium must have been used as the meeting place of the church in that period. From the eastern door of the city, the eastern necropolis is reached. There is a monumental grave on the eastern side of eastern necropolis, the entrance of which is surrounded with courtyard wall. Two sarcophagus bases are seen in it. A heroon is seen on the northwestern side of the monumental grave. The ceramic furnace that has been opened in the northwest of the monumental grave has proved that ceramics have been produced here in the 2nd and 3rd century in Roman Period. The pot prints and printed pot parts found in the furnace are interesting. The works that will be carried out in Astra archaic city may provide many other data for the archeology science.
One of the important historical centres of Konya, which has been searched and being searched is Karahoyuk. Karahoyuk has taken its name from Karahoyuk Village that is close to it. The village beside the asphalt road going to Hatip District, at 15 km northeastern of the Province centre, is in the borders of Konya Municipality today.
The scientific works in Karahoyuk were started on September 17th 1953, under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Sedat Alp, with the cooperation of TTK, Ankara University, Mid Anatolia Research Station and Museums General Directorate. The excavations have been interrupted in 1959 and 1967 -1970 and re - started thereafter.
Karahoyuk has been an important crossroads where north - south and east - west roads intersect in the history, as it is today. In Hittite Empire Period, Konya region was connected to the culture of Huuassana, the goddess of Hupisna (Eregli ‘Kybistra’) and included in Luvi language group.
The finds obtained in Karahoyuk until today provide information relating to the cultural and commercial relationships of the period to which they belong. It is the most important centre of seal art before the Hittite Empire Period in the southern part of Mid Anatolia. Graffito, pot trademarks and some seals provide aid in the research of early stages of writing in Anatolia. Among other finds, there are beak- mouthed water jugs, cups, clover- mouthed water jugs, rhytons, grape cluster shaped pots. Horse shoe shaped, stamped altars, stoves and half moon shaped lintels are characteristic works of their periods.
As the result of the researches, 27 building floors have been determined in Karahoyuk and the main soil has been found at a depth of 29.10 m at the section named as C hallow. There is a silt layer of 1.5 m thickness on this main soil and the culture layers are in this silt layer.
Layering
1-111 Layers: have provided materials belonging to the first quarter of 2nd thousand BC. The stamp seals found in the 1st floor belong to the last phase of Period of Colonies. IV.XI layers: Ceramics called as intermediate have been obtained. These ceramics have been found intensely in Vth
and Vlth layers.
XII. XXII. Layers: These layers provide ceramics of the type seen in the mid and last phases of Troia 1, which are called as ‘Early Aegean Ceramic’ by Blegen.
XXII. XXVII Layers: Although they provide findings belonging to more ancient times than Troia 1 civilization, the characteristic works of Calcolithic Period have not been met.
In accordance with these data, Karahoyuk has culture layers following each other without interruption and belonging to Early and Mid Bronze Periods. The materials obtained show that Karahoyuk has been in cultural and commercial relationship with Kizilirmak region, especially Kultepe Cappadoccia Region, Alisar, Bogazkoy, Acemkoy, Gordion, Troia, Karatas Semahoyuk, Tarsus, Tell - Acana, Cyprus, Syria, Mesopotamia and Miken residence centres. It has been claimed that at the beginning of 2nd thousand BC, there could be a Hittite ethnic group that mixed with Luvi people under the impact of Hittites in Karahuyuk.
Archaic city Kilistra is located 49 km southwest Gokyurt/ Hatunsaray. The settlement in Kilistra is believed to be established first during the Hellenistik and Roman Times (BC 2nd century- AD 3rd century) according to result of the archeological works.During the excavation the name Kilistra1 was found an inscribe on a Roman epitaph from the eastern grape must- house being used as a threshhold stone.
Kilistra, during the Byzantine age (BC 8th century- AD 13th century), also appears to have rock- carved settlement similar to the ones in Cappadocia. Lystra, one of the Anatolian cities, is one the way between Ikonion (Konya) and Pisda Antiocheia (Yalvac). It’s on the famous King’s Road. St. Paulos, whose name is mentioned in the Bible, is believed to have stopped by on his journey.Timotoes, to whom the messenger Paulos sent his letters, is also from Lystra.
The name given to the region, today ‘Paulonu’, where the ‘Sumbul’ini church is located, is an evidence that his name is still being remembered.
The people of Lystra, who had accepted Christianity during the Roman times, are believed to have chosen the mountainous terrain to protect themselves against assaults from the Paganists masses and looters. One of the most important hidden cities that is explored is Kilistra.
Today the people of Gokyurt are settled on the archaic city of Kilistra. The excavations reveal that during the Byzantium period, Turks lived together with the natives of the Kilistra. There is also evidence that the nomadic tribes who mostly raised animals had been made to live there during the Ottoman period.
Daily Life
Agriculture and stock raising are the main activities of the people of Gokyurt village. Because of the geological features of the land, agriculture in some areas are to be carried out by animal power.
Horses, donkeys and mules are used for this purpose. Squash is an important vegetable planted in the village, and it is an important tradition of weddings that squash is to be served at the women’s table.
Pickled azarole and wild plum, stewed wild pear, and a kitchen of the vicinity. Viniculture is very common, and there is plenty of Pekmez (thick syrup made by boiling down the saccharine juice of any kind of fruit) production. Honey production in classical methods is of importance in the village economy. Women also contribute to the work in the field, stock raising, and stable works. The handicrafts and weaving have its traditional roots.
How to go to Kilistra?
You can reach to Kilistra (Gokyurt) from the 15 km asphalt road by driving towards the southeastern of the Konya -Hakunsaray road which is about 34 km.lt is also possible to go to Kilistra from the 15 km stabilized road by driving towards south from the 34th km of Konya - Antalya Highway.
How to visit Kilistra?
You can reach the ancient city of Kilistra coming from the direction of Lystra (Hatunsaray) by following the King’s route located in the east of Hatunsaray. Following the King’s route allows you to view the undamaged stone flooring of that route. This route will lead you to the Devrek location with the observing tower and police station building controlling the city entrance. If you follow the antique road to the city center, you can explore the meeting hall, typical caves, antique tombs and a number of other public buildings.
The cross - shaped chapel, Sandikkay, in the south is an unique and interesting building with the interior and exterior carved from one piece of rock. Around the chapel are complementary buildings.
The other entrance of the King’s route going over to the west also has an observing tower and police station. There is also a cistern where you’ll find Kapci cave’ which was used in pottery making in the latest periods. There is also village mension nearby in the village center where you can get things such as food, drinks, etc.
The next main site is the Sumbul church, called the ‘Paulonu Location’ by the villagers. It is south - west of the village mansion. To the west of the village mansiyon you can visit the cistern (Katirini), double - wine houses (must-house) in the sogutlu stream bed and irrigation trenches. In the Paulonu location one can view all the tones of green and see nature and history side by side in the valley .While going to the grand cistern on the northern of the Ardicli Hill, you can see the monumental rocky tombs in the nekropal you can see the monumental rocky tombs in the nekropal area.The grand cistern (Katirini) is a three - naved, magnificent rock, one of the most attractive assets of the cite. Turkish grape - houses along the stream bed and their water - channels on the western side of the cistern are also worth seeing as the buildings.
Architecture
Kilistra archaic city was set up during early Byzantium ages on five different places in accordance with the natural rock formation in the region. Concealment is the main goal in the establishment costruction of the rock carved city. From the exterior, the settlement appears to be a natural rock but in interior there are large carved spaces. Illumination and ventilation had been provided by hidden loopholes. In the site there are religious buildings (i.e.,chapels and churches), public buildings (i.e., houses, cisterns, fountains, wine - houses, etc.), and buildings for defense and security purposes (i.e., watch towers, garrison and shelters).
The living urbanized structure is slope style houses suitable to the topographic structures. While the people carry on using the ready - made old spaces in the architect carved in the rocks by changing their functions, they use the stones cut from the rocks as the main materials and shaped the buildings. The buildings are in stone from the bottom to the top, and have large rooms and flat roofs.
Natural Beauty
The rock formation, resembling fairy chimneys, formed by the volcanic tuff capped rocks still continues through the valley where the village is located. The valley is seen as if it were a forest of rocks, and gives panoramic views from the watching places in the settlement area. All tones of green are seen in the vicinity which is covered with vegetation that has local characteristics in the four seasons. The vegetation structure is scrub species mostly seen attye foot of Taurus Mountains. The oak forests consisting of ash tree, Mediterranean medlar, wild pear, wild plum, oleaster and rose hip trees with walnut, almond trees give wonderful natural view. The wild life in the forest structure cotinues in full variety.
The scrub plant growing like a squat tree having wild grape - like fruit in bunches named by the villagers as ‘Gilabba’ (Gilabori - Viburnum opulus) is consumed for health care purposes.
Accomodation
Gokyurt is a small lovely village that keeps traditional Turkish hospitality alive. The village mansion is suitable for accommodating groups. The mansion was a public building previously and has been restored, modernized and enlarged by adding another story on the building.
Çatalhöyük is 10 kilometres east of Konya’s Çumra Township. The tumulus is a hill with two flat areas with different altitudes. Because of these two elevations, it is called ‘çatal,’ meaning fork. Çatalhöyük was first discovered by J. Mellaartin 1958. There were a number of excavations here in 1961-1963 and 1965. The studies made on the western slope of the hill revealed 13 layers. The earliest settlement in the first layer dates back to 5500 B.C. This dating done by examination of style was also proved using the Carbon 14 dating method. The first settlement was a centre that sheds light on the history of humanity with the first house architecture and remains of the first sacred structures.
The best known period of urbanization in Çatalhöyük lie between layers 7 and 11. Houses with square walls were adjacent but the houses didn’t share common walls. Every house had its own wall. Houses were planned separately and one house was built next to another whenever there was a need to do so. Because of the adjacent walls of the houses, there were no streets in the city.
Walking on the flat roofs was the only means of getting around. No remains of a fortress or city walls protecting the city have been found. Sun-baked bricks, trees and reeds were used in the making of the houses. The foundations were not deep. There were wooden sticks between the walls, and the joists on these sticks supported the flat roofs. The ceilings were covered with compressed clay earth put on reeds. The houses were one story and the entrance was from a hole opening in the roof. There was a ladder going down from this opening.Every house had a room and storage. Inside the rooms, there were square stoves, stone benches which were 10-30 cm high and square niches inside the walls. The walls were plastered. After the plaster was painted white, pictures were painted on the walls using red and black dyes. Sacred rooms were relatively larger than others. Besides the pictures painted on these walls, there are also heads of bulls, rams, and deer made with compressed clay and applied to the walls. There are also reliefs of people and animals. The wall pictures in Çatalhöyük were found in layers 10 and 11. The most beautiful and sophisticated ones belong to the seventh and fifth layers. These pictures are the continuation of the tradition started by Palaeolithic man, who made pictures on cave walls. They might have also believed that these pictures would bring them luck in hunting. In later ages, we see that home decorations confined themselves to bird patterns and geometrical designs.
The pictures also show headless people being eaten by vultures, a representation which might be related to the residents’ burial traditions. After vultures ate the flesh, the bones were collected and wrapped inside a straw cloth and buried in the house. Excavations in such places have unearthed many skeletons. Archaeologists also found gifts left for dead people such as tools made out of bones, collared stones, sharp tools, stone axes, and beads made out of seashells.
The little figurines found during the Çatalhöyük excavations provide us with new insights about the beginning of the Mother Goddess cult and the religious beliefs of the time. These small sculptures made out of cooked clay and stone measured 5-15 cm high. The female figures are fat and buxom, with large hips. They are sometimes depicted as giving birth. These figurines represent abundance and plenitude. Stone or clay axes, plates, figurines of the goddess of fertility, bracelets and necklaces were the only tools found in Çatalhöyük. There are also black- or brick-collared cups made out of cooked clay. The figurines of the Mother Goddess and sacred animals were also made out of cooked clay. Sharp tools were made out of bones and tips of arrows and spears were made out of obsidian. These were the most important tools used in Çatalhöyük.
No excavation was done in Çatalhöyük prior to 1996. That year, the British Archaeology Institute started excavations under the leadership of Ian Hodder. The remains found are remains are being exhibited, while others are rpeserved in storage.
The Burning Stones
An interesting natural beauty, the mythological Yanartas (Chimera) is located in the north of Olympus, at the upper side of the Çirali Beach.The burning stones which are located about an hour’s ride from Olympos have a mythological story behind them:
A divinely handsome young man named Bellerophon used to live in Argos, Greece. Bellerophon wanted very much to possess the flying horse Pegasus. So he chased Pegasus for days and nights but with no success. One day, in a dream, the gods told Bellerophon how he could gain control of the winged horse. He did what the gods told him and used a golden bridle that was given to him to tame the horse when the animal was drinking water.One day Bellerophon accidentally killed someone. After this accident, he left Argos and found shelter with the King of Tiryns, Proteus. Soon Proteus’ queen fell in love with this handsome young man, and she told him that she wanted to sleep with him. However Bellerophon, not wanting to be disrespectful towards his host, turned down the queen’s advances. In revenge, the queen told her husband that the young man had tried to seduce her by sneaking into her bed. The king grew irate but he didn’t want to kill his guest Proteus sent a letter to his father-in-law, the king of Lycia, asking him to kill Bellerophon.
At length, Bellerophon reached Lycia. The king met him near the Xanthos River and he was the king’s guest for nine days. It was only on the ninth day that the king received the letter from his son-in-law and realized that Bellerophon was to be killed. But he also found that he couldn’t kill him and so asked the Chimera monster to do the job for him. The Chimera was a creature with the head of a lion, the body of a she-goat, and the tail of a snake. The creature breathed out flames from his mouth. Bellerophon, with his winged horse Pegasus and the support of gods, defeated Chimera. Bellerophon also defeated other creatures sent by the king. Seeing this, the king believed that Bellerophon was a descendent of the gods and he presented him many gifts. Bellerophon married the king’s daughter. He was a descendent of Poseidon. Bellerophon had three children from this marriage. His daughter Laodameia slept with Zeus, and she gave birth to Sarpedon. When he grew up, Sarpedon became the Lycian king and fought in the Trojan War.
During the war, he angrily shouted at those who had been
left behind in the battle,
‘I have come from faraway lands
I’ve come from Xanthos of Anarphor From Lycia, a faraway land.’
After performing many feats of courage, he was killed by Patroclus, a Trojan warrior fighting with the weapons of Achilles. In his dying breath, he said Glaucos should succeed him. Zeus ordered Apollo to take his son’s dead body to Lycia.
The Chimera, who was born to the underworld creatures Typhon and Echidna, used to live in Olympos, which is today called Çirali or Yanartas. Chimera was killed by Bellerophon astride his flying horse, and the creature was still breathing flames to the last moment of his life Today, natural gases keep the flames burning eternally among the rocks in Olympos, and this is the legend behind the burning rocks.
On the Antalya-Finike road, in order to go to Olympos, you should make a turn from Ulupinar when you seethe sign pointing to the ruins. A narrow but beautiful road will take you to the beach of Olympos.To go to the ruins, you’ll pass a creek and walk a little on a wide beach which will take you to the creek that passes across Olympos. Olympos was setup in the Hellenistic period. We have coins of the city printed in the second century B.C.. In 100 B.C., Olympos became one of the six leading cities that had the right to vote. In the first century B.C., pirates became so fond of the city that Olympos almost became a settlement area for the pirates. In 78 B.C. the Roman commander Servilius Isaurieus drove out the pirates and added the city to Roman territory. During the Roman era, the city became very famous with the cult of the blacksmith god Vulcan (Hephaestus) in nearby Çirali, where natural gases keep a number of flame perpetually burning.
Opramoas of Rhodiapolis, who helped to restore all the Lycian cities in the second century B.C., also gave a hand to Olympos. He helped in the repair and restoration of many buildings in the city. This way Olympos had the most prosperous era of its history during this century. After this golden age, pirates kept troubling the city. As a result of the pirates’ attacks, wealthy cities became poorer and lost their significance. From this time on, the city survived only as a small, insignificant city.
The city enjoyed something of a revival when the knights of Venice, Genoa, and Rhodes came to spread themselves around the Mediterranean, but the city lost all its charm after the Ottomans established superiority over the seas.
Olympos was totally abandoned in the 15th century.
Olympos is spread across the two sides of the creek that passes through it. The hill that rises behind the tombs can be seen from the beach, and this was the acropolis of Olympos. The remains on the hill belong to a fortress built in the Middle Ages. When you look down from this hill, you can see this lovely river which makes the city resemble Venice. The river was directed into a channel with polygonal walls built on its two sides. The two sides were joined by a bridge whose remains are still visible today.
On the other side of the river, there are remains of a building with windows. This was the Turkish-style bath of the city. You can walk across the river by stepping on the large pieces of stones in the river. Here there is theater of Olympos but it’s a bit difficult to visit theater because of tall greenery. The theater’s paradoes with vaults, pieces of decorated doors and niches scattered around indicate the presence of a Roman theater here. Between theater and the sea, there is a Byzantine basilica and city walls. On the other side of the river, there are remains of a Turkish-style bath. The city’s agora and gymnasium should have been in the wide, open area in the middle.
It is at 58th km of Antalya - Finike road. It is also possible to reach Phaselis city by maritime lines, which is 15 km away from Kemer.
It is thought that one of the eastern coastal cities of Lycia, Phaselis is one of the commercial cities of Hellenistic Age of 6th century B. C. It becomes a bishop center during Romans. Thick walls of eastern port of Phasellis, composed of three ports, are still in good condition. Western port, whose front and western parts are remained under sands is appropriate for having a swim.
Most parts of the ruins, which are on ground in Phaselis are remained from Roman period. These ruins are; port, castle walls, Zeus Temple, King Antonius Caravella road, also twenty lined theater ruins. Peninsula’s throat part composing street is marvelous. It begins from south port and reaches to city gates.
It is thought that it is also used as a stadium from time to time due to width and shortness of this street. Because history writes that two important athletism competitions are performed within Phaselis.
There are two temples near to Agora. One of them is constructed for the sake of ‘Athena Polias1, which is a highly important goddess for Phaselis. Other one is for the sake of ‘Heista’ and ‘Hermes’. There were bronze made spear of Homer’s mythological hero, Acchileus within Athena among these temples.
Building ruins, a church as well as houses of bishops among these ruins can be faced at sides of the street. Aqueducts, which are covering the water needs of the city, are constructed with Roman style and still in very good condition.
There is also a museum, in which some ancient pieces of art excavated in Phaselis. Also here is drawing attention as an ideal promenade and beach place, composed of a shallow bay, fine sands and a forest, and mountain, sea besides historical beauties.
It is between Kaş-Demre. It is an ancient submerged city 500 m far from the Üçağız Village in Mediterranean. Kekova is the name of a region of fascinating islands, bays and ancient cities. Kekova has a sorely seen attraction. Along the shore of the Island a sunken city is observed. The geological movements of the Island caused the city on the Island to submerge, creating a strange scene with half of the city underwater and half above. Teimiussa, Simena are the main Lycian settlements in the area. Kekova is the only area where the flying fish can be watched in this region.
Beyond its cultural features, Kekova shows very significant geological formations, undulated coastal line, hydrobiological features and scenic beauty of the area form an outstanding quality. It is a remarkable example of cultural continuity, and living cultural assets as well.
Sardis (Salihli/Sart) which was known as the capital of theLydia Kingdom was founded in the Vlllth century B.C. and was ruled by the kings: Gyges, Ardys, Sadyattes, Alyattes and Kroisos. The city was conquered by the Persian King Kyros in 546 B.C. and from then continued to function as a Persian garrison. Alexander the Great conquered the city in 334 B.C. and at that time the city becomes Hellenized. The city was then ruled by Syria, Pergamon and by the Romans in turn.
Sardis was known by its wealth and as a famous trade centre when it was the capital of Lydia Kingdom. Owing to the Paktolos who passed nearby the city and who had rich gold mines the wealth of the city became very famous. This city which minted the first coins in history in the Vllth century B.C., was the last stop on the famous King Road which started in Susa. Moreover, the city earned a considerable income from the famous Artemis temple which people from all over the ancient world visited.