Sunken City of Kekova

Kekova, also named Caravola (Greek: Dolichiste), is a small Turkish island near Demre (Demre is the Lycian town of Myra) district of Antalya province which faces the villages of Kaleköy (ancient Simena) and Üçağız (ancient Teimioussa). 

Kekova is not only known for its gorgeous turquoise sea but also its ancient and mysterious sunken city. Every summer, visitors arrive on Gulet tours to look out over the water to see the remains of a once flourishing city now completely underwater with only a few remnants on land to speak of its existence.

Along the edge of the island facing the mainland lie the fascinating half-submerged remains of a Lycian sunken city, and some remains also from the Byzantine times. Signs warn against skin-diving, so you can not swim here because many visitors in the past took a piece of ancient relics with them as a souvenir. The boatman will allow the passengers on board off for a swim further to the west, where the remains of a Byzantine chapel stand on the beach and where further sunken remains can be explored at ease by the swimmer with mask and snorkel. In case you arrive Kekova by car, you can hire one of the small boats at Ucagiz village to visit the sunken city and also Simena.

A fascinating Lycian necropolis, with chest-type tombs spread out along the coastline, lies at Teimiussa, near the present-day Ucagiz on the mainland across from Kekova. This can also be reached by track from the main road between Kas and Demre, where it is signposted. The boat-tripper may be content with a sea-born view and pass to Kale, the ancient Simena, which sits nearby below the crenellated ramparts of an earlier hilltop Roman castle.

Today Kekova is a very popular anchorage for sailors who enjoy the history together with the nature. This is a regular stop for gulet and charter boats.

 The Kekova region spans over 100 square miles and includes Kekova Island and the villages Kalekoy, Ucagiz and four ancient towns Simena, Aperlae, Dolchiste and Teimloussa. Kekova is a must-see and very enjoyable place to visit because of the total beauty and tranquility. Popular with the yachts and cruise boats, the cruising tachts will often stay here for weeks at a time. It is a place of peace and steeped in history with the additional benefit of clear blue waters, sun, nature that is unspoilt and fantastic swimming.

The ancient sunken city is well worth a visit you will se a charming mixture of ancient, medieval and modern history which is very interesting as well as picturesque.