Kaunos Ancient City was an important port city of Antiquity, located within the boundaries of Dalyan Neighborhood in Ortaca District of present-day Muğla Province, Türkiye. Situated on the border of the Caria and Lycia regions, the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and is notable for its archaeological remains, rock tombs, and ancient structures.
Kaunos Ancient City - Türkiye Culture Portal
History
There are various accounts regarding the foundation of Kaunos. According to Herodotus, the people of Kaunos were the indigenous inhabitants of Caria, though they considered themselves Cretan. Geographer Strabo noted that the city had shipyards and a harbor with a closable entrance. According to mythological accounts, Kaunos, the son of Miletos, left Miletus after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with his twin sister Biblis and established the city of Kaunos.
Kaunos was inhabited during the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. After the Persian conquest of Anatolia, the city came under the rule of Carian satrap Mausolus. Following Alexander the Great’s defeat of the Persians in 334 BCE, the city successively fell under the control of Princess Ada, Antigonus, and the Ptolemies. Later, it came under the rule of the Kingdom of Rhodes, the Kingdom of Pergamon, and the Roman Empire. The harbor gradually silted up with alluvial deposits, leading to the loss of its commercial significance, and the city was largely abandoned after the Byzantine period.
Geographical Location and Access
Kaunos Ancient City is located near the Dalyan Canal. Visitors can reach the site via tour boats from Dalyan. After a 10-minute boat ride, they must walk for approximately 15 minutes along a tree-lined path to reach the ancient city. Yachts approaching from the sea can anchor near Delikli Island and use smaller boats to reach the pier.
City Structure and Architecture
Kaunos developed as an independent city-state and was surrounded by walls built during different periods. At the city’s center are a theater, bath, agora, shops, harbor, and fountains, constructed in both Hellenistic and Roman styles.
Acropolis and City Walls
The acropolis of Kaunos was built on a steep rocky hill at an elevation of 152 meters. An extension of the acropolis, the Small Fortress, served both defensive and religious purposes. The walls were constructed in different periods:
- The northern walls date back to the Middle Ages.
- The Long Wall was built during the reign of Mausolus.
- The northwest walls belong to the Hellenistic Period.
- The harbor walls date back to the Archaic Period.
Rock Tombs
One of the most striking features of Kaunos is its rock tombs, built in the 4th century BCE and still in use during the Roman period. These tombs, characteristic of Lycian-style rock-cut burial sites, contain three stone benches inside and feature Ionic-style columns, friezes, and pediments on their façades.
Some of the tombs remain unfinished. Their façade architecture resembles that of Hellenistic temples, exhibiting unique craftsmanship. One of the pediments includes two opposing lion figures, along with reliefs of a bird and mythological creatures at the sharp corners.
Kaunos rock tombs - Türkiye Culture Portal
Theater
The Kaunos theater, located at the foot of the acropolis, has 33 seating rows and a capacity of approximately 5,000 spectators. It features architectural elements from both the Hellenistic and Roman periods, with the stage building and seating arrangement reflecting Hellenistic characteristics.
Kaunos theater - Türkiye Culture Portal
Agora and Stoa
Kaunos’ agora was situated along the shore of the ancient harbor, now known as Sülüklü Lake. It began developing in the 5th century BCE, took its final form in the 4th century BCE, and remained in use until the end of the Roman period. The agora functioned as the city’s social and economic hub and was also a repository of cultural and historical memory. Excavations in this area have revealed numerous statue bases, though the statues themselves have not survived.
Roman Bath
The Roman Bath of Kaunos was built in accordance with the typical architectural plan of Roman baths. The bathhouse, constructed on a high terrace, was designed to be visible from a distance.
Sanctuary of Demeter
The Sanctuary of Demeter in Kaunos is known as a sacred site where women-only festivals were celebrated.
Urban Planning
Archaeological excavations have shown that the city was planned according to wind direction. The discovery of a wind measurement platform is considered the first archaeological evidence indicating that streets and avenues were aligned based on wind patterns.
Kaunos Ancient City - Türkiye Culture Portal
Salt Production and Trade
Excavations in Kaunos have uncovered an ancient salt production site. The salt extracted from this area was used in the production of medicinal eye ointments.
Excavations
The first excavations in Kaunos began in 1966 under the direction of Prof. Dr. Baki Öğün. These excavations uncovered significant structures, including the theater, agora, bathhouse, sanctuaries, and rock tombs.
Tourism and Conservation Efforts
Today, Kaunos Ancient City attracts both domestic and international tourists. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, and efforts are ongoing for its inclusion in the permanent list.
Visitor Information
- Location: Dalyan Neighborhood, Ortaca, Muğla
- Opening Hours: 08:30 AM
- Closing Hours: 08:00 PM (Ticket office closes at 07:30 PM)
- Closed Days: Open every day
- Access: Via tour boats from Dalyan
- Museum Pass: Valid
