Letoon

The ancient city of Letoon is located in the Kumluova neighborhood of Seydikemer district in Muğla province. Believed to have been founded in the 7th century BC, the city held a significant position in Antiquity as the religious center of Lycia. With its three temples and various structures, Letoon sheds light on the political and cultural framework of the region. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.

Location

The ancient city of Letoon is located in the Kumluova neighborhood, situated between Kaş and Fethiye in the western part of the Lycian region. It lies approximately 50 kilometers from Kaş and 65 kilometers from Fethiye. The ancient city is located near the Xanthos River (modern Eşen Stream) and is about 6 kilometers away from Xanthos, one of the most important cities of Lycia. Due to its geographical position, Letoon was considered the sacred site of the Lycian League and was located at a point that facilitated access both to maritime trade routes and inland regions.

Letoon is situated on the Lycian Way and is frequently visited today due to its proximity to popular tourist centers such as Kaş, Fethiye, Kalkan, and Patara.

Foundation Mythology

The foundation of Letoon is associated with mythological narratives. According to legend, Apollo and Artemis were born from the union of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Leto. While fleeing the wrath of Hera, Leto gave birth to her children on Delos and then traveled along the Xanthos River to the area where Letoon now stands. She attempted to wash her children here but was prevented by the local people. In response, Leto turned the people into frogs to gain access to the water. The acceptance of Letoon as a sacred site and its transformation into one of Lycia’s major religious centers are linked to this myth.

History

The historical development of the ancient city of Letoon sheds light on various periods of Lycian civilization. Archaeological excavations and discovered inscriptions show that the city was inhabited from the 7th century BC onward.

Archaic and Classical Period (7th–5th century BC)

The earliest signs of settlement date back to the 7th century BC. During this period, it is believed that a cult of an Anatolian goddess and a water nymph existed in the region. The recognition of Letoon as a sacred site dates to this period.

Persian Rule (6th–4th century BC)

In the 6th century BC, the region came under Persian control. Lycia was governed as part of the Persian satrapy, though the local population remained largely autonomous. The Trilingual Inscription, dated to the 4th century BC, is a significant document for understanding the political structure of Lycia under Persian rule.

Hellenistic Period (4th–1st century BC)

Following Alexander the Great’s conquest of Anatolia, Letoon and the Lycian region came under Macedonian rule. During this period, Lycian cities underwent Hellenization, and the sacred site of Letoon was reshaped under Hellenistic influences. The temples of Leto, Apollo, and Artemis were constructed during this era.

Roman Period (1st century BC – 3rd century AD)

Under Roman control, Letoon continued to function as a religious center. Large-scale construction projects were undertaken during the Roman period, and the sacred precinct was expanded. The Hellenistic theater continued to be used in this period.

Byzantine Period (4th–7th century AD)

During the Early Christian period, a church was built in Letoon. However, the significance of the Lycian region began to decline during this time, and the sacred site of Letoon was gradually abandoned. With the onset of Arab raids in the 7th century AD, the city was completely deserted.

Present Condition

Today, Letoon is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and excavation and restoration works continue. The city continues to yield significant findings in epigraphy and archaeology.

Historical and Archaeological Findings

Archaeological finds and inscriptions in Letoon indicate that the city was inhabited from the 7th century BC. The ancient city stood out particularly during the period of the Lycian League as a religious and political center. Excavations in the region have revealed that the sacred site was dedicated to an Anatolian goddess and a water nymph during the Archaic and Classical periods. With the growing Greek influence in the Hellenistic period, this cult was replaced by that of Leto, Apollo, and Artemis.

Letoon came under the control of the Persians, Carians, and later the Ptolemies and Rhodes. However, during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it continued to be one of the most important sacred sites of Lycia. Significant construction activities were undertaken during the Roman Imperial period, and the city hosted religious ceremonies and political meetings.

Architectural Structures

The most striking structures of the ancient city of Letoon are its three major temples. These temples are located at the heart of Lycia’s sacred precinct and highlight the city's religious significance.

• Temple of Leto: Located to the west and built in peripteral style, this temple is dedicated to Leto. It dates to the 4th century BC. Constructed in the Ionic order, the temple is notable for the high degree of preservation of its excavated remains.

• Temple of Apollo: Situated to the east, this temple was built in the Doric order. However, it is less well-preserved than the Temple of Leto.

• Temple of Artemis: Located between the other two temples and smaller in size, this temple is dedicated to Artemis. In addition to the temples, various other structures exist in the ancient city of Letoon.

• Hellenistic Theater: The theater, with a capacity of approximately 8,000 people, is built into the hillside. It is thought to have been used for religious ceremonies and political gatherings. The theater continued to be used during the Roman period.

• Nymphaion (Water Source): Located southwest of the temples, this structure was built as a sacred fountain. It was renovated after the Hellenistic period and dates to the 3rd century BC.

• Trilingual Inscription: Discovered in 1973, this stele is written in three languages: Lycian, Aramaic, and Greek. The inscription significantly contributed to the decipherment of the Lycian language and is currently exhibited in the Fethiye Museum.

• Christian Church: Built during the Early Byzantine period, this church indicates the beginning of Christian influence in the ancient city.

Trilingual Inscription and Lycian History

The trilingual inscription found in Letoon dates to the 4th century BC. The fact that it is written in Greek, Aramaic, and Lycian reveals the multicultural nature of the region. The inscription documents a decision made under Persian rule and contains important information about the governance of Lycia. It states that during the reign of Persian King Artaxerxes, a priest was appointed to establish a new god cult, and that Pixodarus was responsible for overseeing this process. The inscription also greatly contributed to the decipherment of the Lycian language.

Apollo Mosaic and Works of Art

The mosaic located in the Temple of Apollo dates to the Hellenistic period. The sun motif in the mosaic symbolizes Lycia, the lyre represents Apollo, and the bow and arrows represent Artemis. The mosaic was transferred to the Fethiye Museum in 2004 to protect it from natural deterioration.

Letoon also contains important honorary monuments and statue bases, such as the Monument of the Arruntii. These structures provide information about the rituals and votive traditions carried out in the ancient city.

Letoon, as the religious and political center of Lycia, maintained its significance for centuries. Used as a sacred site since the 7th century BC, the city developed during the Hellenistic and Roman periods and remained inhabited until the Byzantine era. Today, Letoon is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as an important archaeological center for understanding Lycian civilization.