On the southern slope of the mountain rising above modern-day Fethiye, a unique burial complex is carved — the Lycian Rock Tombs. This necropolis, dating back to the 4th century BC, is part of the ancient city of Telmessos, one of the largest port centers of the Lycian civilization. Unlike the famous Tomb of Amyntas, which dominates the rock massif and is visible from afar, the other tombs of the complex are less monumental but no less interesting to study.
They represent a variety of burial structures in form and degree of preservation, providing insight into the social hierarchy, architectural traditions, and burial rites of the Lycians.
The complex is located on the same rocky slope as the Tomb of Amyntas but occupies a wider area, extending along the base of the mountain and on separate elevated sections. While the Tomb of Amyntas is the largest and most richly decorated monument, the remaining tombs represent more modest but equally authentic examples of Lycian burial architecture.
Architectural Types of Lycian Rock Tombs
The Lycians developed several types of rock-cut burials, each reflecting the social status of the deceased and the evolution of architectural traditions. Three main types are represented in the Fethiye complex.
Temple tombs represent the most monumental type, to which the Tomb of Amyntas belongs. Such tombs imitate the façade of a Greek temple with columns, a pediment, and an entablature. They were intended for the highest nobility, rulers, and members of royal families. The façades are meticulously detailed, columns have capitals, and the pediments were once adorned with sculptural compositions. Inside such tombs, stone couches for burials are usually found.
House tombs imitate the façade of a Lycian residential house with a gabled or flat roof, wooden beams, and doorways. The Lycians, known for their skill in wooden architecture, reproduced in stone the structures of their houses, including details of rafter systems, projecting beams, and door frames. Such tombs were intended for wealthy citizens who did not attain royal status.
Simple tombs are the least decorated type. They consist of rectangular or square entrances leading to burial chambers carved into the rock. Such tombs have no columns, pediments, or imitation of architectural elements. Their façades may be limited to just a doorway and sometimes a small frame around it. They were intended for the middle class and less noble families.
The Tomb Complex on the Slope of Fethiye
The rock massif on which the tombs are located is a limestone outcropping formed by natural processes and subsequently worked by human hands. The tombs are carved at different levels of the slope, which is related both to the geological features of the rock and to social hierarchy — the higher the tomb is located, the closer to the sky and the gods, according to Lycian beliefs.
Group of Tombs to the East of the Tomb of Amyntas
To the east of the monumental Tomb of Amyntas, at the same rock level, there is a group of several burial structures. They represent predominantly house and simple types of tombs. The façades of these tombs are significantly more modest: columns and complex pediments are absent, but elements characteristic of Lycian architecture have been preserved — imitation of wooden beams above the doorway and gabled finishes.
Among this group, a tomb stands out with a partially preserved relief image of a warrior with a spear, carved to the left of the entrance. Such images are found on Lycian tombs and presumably indicate the professional or social status of the deceased.
The Tomb on the Elevated Area to the Right
The most interesting object of the complex is located separately, to the right of the main group of tombs, on an elevated section of the slope. This tomb is noticeably different from all other monuments of the necropolis.
The features of this Lycian tomb include the absence of architectural decoration. Unlike most Lycian tombs that imitate wooden houses or temples, this façade has neither columns, nor pediments, nor carved cornices, nor imitation of beams.
The form of the tomb is laconic: the entrance is a rectangular opening carved directly into the rock surface, without framing or decorative elements. The stratigraphic position of the tomb — it is located above the main group of burials — may indicate an earlier or, conversely, a later period of creation, or a special burial status.
The absence of decoration on this tomb gives rise to several hypotheses among researchers. It is possible that this is one of the earliest tombs of the necropolis, created before the Lycian masters developed the canons of façade decoration. An alternative version suggests that this burial belonged to a representative of a social stratum for which rich architectural decoration was not provided for one reason or another, yet the height of its location indicates high status. A third hypothesis links the simplicity of the form to a later period, when the tradition of imitating wooden architecture began to give way to more laconic forms.
Tombs of the Lower Tier
At the foot of the rock massif, at the level of the modern street, entrances to several tombs are visible, which today are partially hidden by later buildings and the road surface. These burials belong to the simple type — rectangular niches leading to small chambers. In ancient times, they were at the same level as the urban quarters of Telmessos and were organically integrated into the urban environment. Today, their condition is assessed as unsatisfactory due to the impact of urban infrastructure and vibrations from automobile traffic.
Comparison with the Lycian Tombs in Myra
The complex of rock tombs in Fethiye is often compared to the more famous necropolis in Myra (modern-day Demre), where the famous tombs with relief façades are located. Both complexes share common features characteristic of Lycian burial architecture.
Chronologically, both necropolises date back to the classical period of Lycian civilization, that is, to the 5th–4th centuries BC. Both complexes feature temple, house, and simple types of tombs. The technique of execution is also similar: the tombs are carved into limestone rock massifs using similar tools and technologies.
However, there are also significant differences between the complexes. In Fethiye, there are about 10–12 visible objects, while in Myra there are more than 20. In Fethiye, house and simple types of tombs predominate, whereas in Myra, temple tombs with reliefs dominate.
The main difference lies in the degree of preservation of the reliefs and architectural decoration. In Myra, complex multi-figure compositions and inscriptions have been preserved, while in Fethiye most of the decorative elements have been lost due to time, earthquakes, and anthropogenic impact. This is precisely why the Tomb of Amyntas, with its well-preserved columns and pediment, is an exception and the main highlight of the complex.
Materials and Construction Techniques
All the tombs of Fethiye are carved into the native limestone rock that forms the slope of the mountain. The process of creating a tomb involved several stages.
The first stage was the choice of location: the craftsmen selected a vertical section of rock with a homogeneous structure, free of cracks and voids. Then came the marking — the contours of the future façade were drawn on the rock surface.
After this, they proceeded to carve the outer perimeter, forming an outer contour separating the future façade from the rock massif. During the detailing stage, architectural elements were gradually carved — columns, capitals, beams, doorways.
Next came the excavation of the inner chamber: after completing the exterior finishing, the craftsmen began creating the interior space, which was carved out to a depth of several meters. The process was completed by the finishing stage, when surfaces were polished and final details were applied.
Access to the Complex
Unlike the Tomb of Amyntas, access to which is organized through a separate entrance with a ticket office, the other tombs of the complex are located in an open area and are accessible for viewing free of charge. However, it is impossible to approach them closely, as they are situated on a steep rocky slope.
The Lycian Rock Tombs of Fethiye represent a unique burial complex that allows one to trace the evolution of Lycian architecture and social hierarchy. Unlike the Tomb of Amyntas, which is a ceremonial, representative monument, the other tombs of the necropolis allow one to see a broader spectrum of burial traditions — from modest chambers without decoration to façades imitating wealthy Lycian houses.
