Kekova island: Tersane, Dolihiste, Simena photo

On the island of Kekova, you can see several flooded ancient cities that went under water as a result of a powerful earthquake. In V century B.C.  Kekova was not an island, but a peninsula with a prosperous port. The ancient city of Dolihiste was near the port, and the Castle of Simena was above the port. There were even two-story houses in Dolihiste.

In II century A.D., as a result of a strong earthquake, several settlements were flooded in the area. And now, going along the coast in a boat, you can see the foundations of houses. The foundations of houses and stairs remained above water.

You can join one of the tourists groups going aboard large ships in the port of Andriake but it will much more interesting if you visit all the sights on the island of Kekova for yourself, first getting by car to the village of Uchayz. In the village you can get a small boat and look at the flooded cities at a closer distance, as well as go into a small bay of Simena and climb to the ancient castle. When you will talk with a boatman, say the three words: Tersane, Dolihiste, Simena.

Tersane Bay is the destination of all tourist ships. Some ships make a stop here and tourists can have a dip. You can see the foundations of buildings at the bottom through the water. There are also a lot of ancient buildings on the coast. It will be interesting to have a walk among them.

Simena is the most interesting tourist attraction. The village is dominated by an ancient castle. The castle dates back to the time of Lycia but the remaining walls were erected already in the times of the Byzantine Empire. The upper Lycian necropolis is at the walls of the castle. The lower necropolis was on the place of the landing of the village of Kelekei. Today of the necropolis there remained only one sarcophagus, which is partially submerged in water.