Demre Myra Kekova from Alanya

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• Alanya

By choosing the tour “Demre Myra Kekova From Alanya”, in one day you will visit the largest inhabited island of Turkey, Kekova, off the coast of which you can still see the remains of the sunken city, visit the ancient city of Myra, touch an important Christian relic – the sarcophagus in which relics of Saint Nicholas.

Turkey is a tourist paradise on earth, there are seas and mountains, canyons and gorges, numerous monuments of history and architecture, but few people consider Turkey as a place of Christian pilgrimage. But in vain, because the centuries-old history of the country is an interweaving of different eras, each of which left its indelible mark, and from the 3rd to the 15th centuries Christianity was the main religion in the territory of modern Turkey, the 7 most important Christian communities were founded here in the 50s of the 1st century .

Cappadocia, Lycia, Constantinople, Myra – the cradle of Christianity, thousands of temples and churches are proof of this. We must pay tribute, the Turkish government takes care of all architectural monuments and carefully preserves ancient relics.

While on vacation in Alanya, you can combine a pleasant stay with an educational excursion, a sea tour on a yacht with a search for a sunken city, visiting mosques with a religious pilgrimage to Christian shrines.

Tour Demre Mira Kekova from Alanya will be interesting for both adults and children, because it involves various kinds of activities for every taste.

About Demre Myra Kekova from Alanya

The city of Demre, the final destination on our journey, is located on the Mediterranean coast, 275 km. from Alanya. The road will take about 4 hours, but this time will fly by unnoticed, as we will drive along the coast, and we will be able to admire the sheer cliffs, mountain slopes, and the endless blue sea. So that the path is not tiring, we will make a stop and visit the ancient city of Myra , famous for its rock tombs and the Roman amphitheater.

Description of the tour “Demre Myra Kekova from Alanya”

Excursion “Demre Myra Kekova from Alanya” is educational, historical, religious and entertaining at the same time. It begins with a visit to the ancient city of Myra, which was once the capital of the Roman province of Lycia. The main attractions of this place are the tombs carved into the rocks and the well-preserved Greco-Roman amphitheater.

Just a short drive on the coast is the city of Demre, known as the main center of the veneration of St. Nicholas. After visiting the church, which now serves as a museum, you will have a yacht trip to the island of Kekova. Through the transparent bottom of the yacht you can see the remains of the sunken city, you can immediately swim in the clear refreshing water.

Ancient Lycian city of Myra

The exact time of the founding of Myra is unknown, presumably it is the 5th century BC, previously it was a large city, the capital of the Roman province of Lycia. The heyday of the city begins from the time of the Roman emperor Theodosius II, who ruled in 400 AD. For all the time of its existence, Lycia was under the rule of the Persians, was part of the power of Alexander the Great, later – the Lycian Union, the Byzantine Empire, and in the XI century passed into the possession of the Muslims.

Only a few, but unique architectural monuments have survived to this day, this is a huge amphitheater designed for 10,000 spectators and rock tombs carved right on the mountain slopes.

Visit to Demre and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Not far from the excavations of Myra is one of the most important Christian shrines – the Church of St. Nicholas. There is also a sarcophagus in which the relics of the bishop were kept. Saint Nicholas was born in Patara, but he became famous in Myra. According to ancient legends, it was here that the tradition of Christmas gifts began – under the cover of night, an unknown person left gifts at the gates of the houses of the poor. Imagine the surprise of the townspeople when it turned out that the secret stranger was the local bishop.

After his death, a church was built in his honor. Miracles of healing of pilgrims began to occur in the temple, and even later, when the relics of the Saint were transported to Italy, the miracles did not stop.

Now on the territory of the church there is a museum in which the sarcophagus, frescoes, mosaics, and wall paintings are perfectly preserved. This small cruciform basilica is a place of pilgrimage for religious Christians and a historical and architectural monument that attracts tourists from all over the world.

Sunken city near the island of Kekova

The excursion “Demre Myra Kekova from Alanya” ends with a fascinating boat trip. On a comfortable glass bottom yacht you will head to the shore of the island of Kekova. The nature in this area is incredibly beautiful, but the shores that are not buried in greenery and clear emerald waters attract here.

The main object of interest is the ruins of the sunken Lycian city. Here you can see the remains of ancient columns, amphoras, parts of destroyed buildings. This area has not been fully explored by archaeologists, and underwater search operations are periodically carried out here.
During the tour “Demre Myra Kekova from Alanya” you will not only visit the famous in Christ the basilica of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the ruins of the ancient city, but you will also feel like a real treasure hunter. This eventful and exciting day will remain in your memory for a long time.