Ancient City of Simena

Ancient Simena, known as Kaleköy today, is a small Lycian coastal city. It has the characteristic of being a strategic point that has been inhabited since the 4th century. The ruin that reflects this feature most vividly is the castle, which has remained intact until today, from which it is possible to watch the most perfect views of Kekova and its surroundings. Simena is one of the rare settlements in Turkey that can only be reached by sea. It was created to protect the natural, cultural and geographical values ​​on Kekova Island and its surrounding coasts. The Ancient City of Simena, located within the Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area covering an area of ​​260 square kilometers, is registered as a first degree archaeological site.

Kekova, which gave its name to the region, is both the 7.4-kilometer-long island, 500 meters from the coast, just across Simena, and the general area of ​​the region, which also includes Simena, Teimiussa (Üçağız), Aperlai (Shot) Pier, Aquarium Bay, and Gökkaya Bay. is the name. The northern shores of the island, facing Simena, are full of traces of civilization that was partially submerged in earthquakes in ancient times, such as stone stairs, house ruins, pier ruins, half of which is in the water and half outside, extending to 4-5 meters deep into the sea. Simena is located on the peninsula opposite Kekova Island. Üçağız, known as the port city of Teimiussa in ancient times, which was the first entrance to the Kekova Region by land, was the safest corner to protect sailors against the heaviest waves of the Mediterranean, located next to the neighboring Simena. Between Kaleköy and Üçağız, it is possible to observe the remains of roads and piers that were submerged under water, among the small islets that were used especially as a quarry for sarcophagi.

Although the name of the Ancient City of Simena was first mentioned by Pilinius (1st century AD), as it can be understood from the inscription written in Lycian script and the silver coin found in Aperlai, its history dates back to BC. It goes back to the 4th century. The city was a member of a federation under the presidency of Aperlai, which also included Apollonia and Isinda. It was represented by the city of Aperlai in the Lycian league. It is understood that Simena lived as an independent city after the region joined the Roman Empire.

The first building that stands out when approaching the shore is the remains of the Roman bath complex, which is thought to have been built around 79 BC, with the inscription “It was gifted to Emperor Titus by the people of Aperlai and its council and other cities of the union”. While reaching the castle with the help of a steep path from the beach and sometimes ancient steps, two sarcophagi attract attention. One has a small exedra, and the other has an inscription stating that it is dedicated to Mentor, son of Idargus . When you reach the castle, the first thing that stands out is the theater, one of the most important ruins of Simena, with 7 rows of seats and a capacity of 300 people, built by carving into the natural rock. Water cisterns, rock tombs and traces of the religious building, which was first used as a temple, then a church and lastly a mosque, are among the other ruins of the castle. Lycian sarcophagi, moles and building ruins can be seen easily in still weather. To the northeast of the castle lies a large necropolis area consisting of sarcophagi and rock tombs. The Lycian inscription in one of the house-type tombs is remarkable.