Civilizations that are present on the stage of history and that have left obvious traces in the lands they are rooted in appeal to both the heart and the eye. In every layer of our country's lands, the remains of civilizations dating back centuries and even thousands of years are the elements that add value to this geography in terms of travel. When this historical richness is combined with the blue sea and green nature, what emerges is not only a visual feast, but also the vitality of travel... The Ancient City of Myra is located in Demre, the western district of Antalya. Located on the Teke Peninsula, the city is 2 kilometers from the center of Demre. Myra is 30 kilometers from Finike and 45 kilometers from Kaş, and 20 kilometers from Kekova (Üçağız Village). Myra is located in Kaş and Finike due to its location. Therefore, those who plan a holiday in this region are on the road route and easy to reach. If you are going to have a villa holiday in Kalkan or Kas, I suggest you include the Myra Ancient City and Santa Claus Church in Demre in your program. Santa Claus Church, which is in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage, is visited by hundreds of Christian pilgrims every year. Where Does the Name Myra Come From? There are a few claims about where the name Myra came from. It generally means "Place of the Supreme Mother Goddess." The head of the Myra Ancient City excavations, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Çevik says that the first name of the city was “Muri”. The name Muri has been pronounced as "Myra" over time. In Lycian inscriptions, the name of the city is referred to as "Myrrh". According to another rumor, Myra consists of the name of the daughter of Kinyras, the King of Cyprus, named Myrrha. Yet another claim; The name Myra comes from the Myros Stream flowing here. Myros Stream is today's Demre Stream. It is thought that the origin of the name of the city is this tea. It is also possible that the name Myra may have been a special name. However, we should point out that it was known as the "Brightest City" during the Lycian League membership period, which was its brightest period, and with this title, it made you feel that it was above 6 big cities. Rock Tombs The Lycian civilization got its freedom from Rome in 167 BC and established the Lycian League with the integration of 23 cities. In this Union, each city had the right to vote according to its size and economy. Since Myra was one of the accepted cities of this union, it had 3 votes. In the 2nd century AD, many buildings were built in Myra with the efforts of the wealthy people of Lycia. Myra has become a place that leads all cities in terms of administration as well as religious aspects. Myra became the capital of the Lycian state in the 5th century AD. Myra takes its name from the Demre Stream (Myros River in ancient times) where it was founded. The city's water needs were met by the canal system carved into the rocks on the edge of Demre. However, the alluvium and floods brought by the Myros River caused the city to lose its importance in time. Artemis, the mother goddess of Myra, is depicted similarly to Kybele, known as the oldest goddess rooted in Anatolia, and this gives ancient Myra a completely different charm. In Myra, which became the capital of Lycia in the 5th century AD, St. Having traces of Paul makes this place a special place in the Christian world. Myra, with its breathtakingly beautiful rock tombs carved patiently and with superior craftsmanship, the Roman amphitheater, the church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) dating to the Byzantine period, He is almost a messenger who carries the unique characteristics of past ages to the present. The ancient city of Myra, which is a very special area that should be visited for those who prefer the warm and blue waters of the Mediterranean and especially the economic villas of Kaş-Kalkan for swimming, offers you the privilege of witnessing the traces of a life that has remained centuries away. 1- The ancient city of Myra is one of the most important cities of Lycia, the land of light. 2- It is famous for the church of St. Nicholas and rock tombs. 3- Saint Nicholas, known as Santa Claus, is known as the symbol of the city. 4- A great earthquake occurred in the city and the city was rebuilt with the help of Justinian I. 5- The theater for 15 thousand people is one of the biggest theaters in Anatolia. Myra Ancient City Lycian League' It Was A City With 3 Voting Rights In The Lycian League, 23 of the 70 cities in the Lycian League had the right to vote. Cities that voted in antiquity were one step ahead of others. Strabo states the importance of the ancient city of Myra within the democratic union governed by the federal constitution of the Lycian Union, as "one of the 6 largest cities with 3 voting rights", as the center of the alliance. The cities of Myra, Xanthos, Patara, Olympos, Pınara and Tlos are the brightest cities of the Lycian cities. The Ancient City of Myra was one of the metropolises of the ancient Lycia region from the 4th century to the 14th century AD. After the excavations initiated by Nevzat Çevik in 2009, Myra's early name is “Mur” compared to Çevik. Myra Coins BC IV. There is a relief of the mother goddess on the first coin of the city, which was minted in the 16th century. Ancient sources, Myra I BC. Although it is mentioned from the 5th century BC, it is understood from the rock tombs and the minted coins that the city existed in the 5th century BC. What Is Written on the Coins of the Ancient City of Myra? Looking at the coins, it is known that the Ancient City of Myra dates back to the 5th century BC. Myra, which is called “Myrrh” in the Lycian language, means “Place of the Great Mother Goddess”. The goddess figure is the same as Artemis/Myrhh, the goddess of the countryside, nature and plants mentioned on the Myra coin. The name of the figure seen on the relief and on the coin is “Goddess Myra/Myra Artemis”. On the Myra coin, the goddess of Myra quite explicitly documents that she is the very core of a myrtle tree. Thus, it would be correct to say that the place name “Myrrh” comes from the myrtle plant (Commiphora myrrha), from which the famous Myra oil was created. Also, according to mythology, Adonis' His mother's name is the beautiful Myrrh or Symirna. Places to visit in Myra Ancient City Necropolis As soon as you enter the ancient city, you come across rock tombs. There are different types and sizes of rock tombs according to the socio-cultural differences in that period. These rock tombs are undoubtedly the most magnificent structures of the ancient city. You cannot see the inside of the tombs, most of which date back to the 4th century BC. There is no upward exit. You just have to look down. The theater, with a capacity of 10,000 people, reflects the characteristics of a well-preserved Roman Period theater with its rows of seats and stage. In fact, your villa for rent can be an option as it is close. That's why before you set off, you should go to kiralikvillaniz.com. I recommend you to visit tr and find the most ideal villa with comparable prices. If you want to get information about new different routes in the Mediterranean region, you can check our travel blogs. Hope you discover…