In the center of modern Fethiye, right on the roadway of Kaya Caddesi, stands an ancient Lycian sarcophagus, while nearby in a small park there are even more massive sarcophagi and tombs. Their age exceeds two thousand years. This sarcophagus, embedded in the asphalt, along with the Rock Tomb of Amyntas, has become one of the recognizable symbols of the modern Turkish resort of Fethiye.
Architectural Features of Lycian Sarcophagi
Lycian sarcophagi, scattered throughout the territory of ancient Lycia, have a unique architectural form found nowhere else in the world. Their structure consists of three main elements, each carrying deep symbolic meaning.
Hyposorium: The Base of the Tomb
The lower part of the sarcophagus, called the hyposorium, is a massive stone base upon which the entire structure rests. In ancient times, it was in this part, in a special chamber, that servants or family members of lower status were buried. The height of the hyposorium could reach several meters, and relief images depicting the life and deeds of the deceased were applied to it.
On the sarcophagi on Kaya Caddesi, the hyposorium is now almost completely hidden underground. The level of urban development has risen several meters over the past centuries, and what was once the base of the tomb now lies below the asphalt surface. In old drawings by 19th-century travelers, particularly the French archaeologist Charles Texier, the reliefs that adorned this part of the sarcophagus are clearly visible. Today, they are inaccessible to view, hidden from the eyes of the modern city.
The Sarcophagus: The Main Burial Chamber
The central part is a massive stone block inside which the burial chamber is carved. This is where the body of the most distinguished deceased—a ruler, military commander, or wealthy citizen of Telmessos—lay.
The walls of the sarcophagus were often decorated with relief images that help identify the owner of the tomb and his social status. On the pediments of the lid are carved figures of the tomb owner and his family members—a traditional image in Lycian art, emphasizing lineage and noble origin.
Boat-Shaped Lid: A Symbol of the Heavenly Journey
The most remarkable part of the Lycian sarcophagus is its lid. Unlike classical Greek or Roman sarcophagi with flat or gabled lids, the Lycians created lids in the form of an overturned boat or ship. This architectural element is not accidental and is connected with the deep beliefs of the Lycians about the afterlife.
According to Lycian beliefs, the soul of the deceased does not remain in the earth but embarks on a heavenly journey. The stone boat covering the body symbolized the vessel on which the soul crosses from the world of the living to the world of the dead. This boat was meant to carry the deceased to the heavenly shores, where eternal life awaited.
The curved shape of the lid resembles the hull of a vessel, and sometimes one can distinguish elements imitating the bow and stern of a ship. Some researchers suggest that the shape of the lid might also have imitated Lycian dwellings—wooden houses with curved roofs characteristic of this region in antiquity.
The Sarcophagus on the Roadway in Fethiye: The Most Famous
The best-preserved and most famous sarcophagus on Kaya Caddesi is located near the rock tombs. This monument from the 4th century BC attracts the attention of everyone who passes by with its monumentality and elegance.
Its boat-shaped lid with its smooth curve rises above the stone base, creating the feeling that the vessel is about to set sail on its final voyage. Reliefs depicting battle scenes have been preserved on the sides of the sarcophagus, suggesting that a military commander or ruler who distinguished himself in battle was buried here.
In the 19th century, when European archaeologists and antiquarians traveled through these places, the sarcophagus stood on the shore of the bay, and its base was washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Charles Fellows, an English traveler who explored Lycia in the 1830s, left descriptions of this monument, noting its unusual form and good state of preservation.
Over the years, the coastline receded, the street level rose, and today the sarcophagus stands directly on the roadway, surrounded by cars and pedestrians. But even in this state, the sarcophagus makes a strong impression.
Other Sarcophagi on Kaya Caddesi
In addition to the famous sarcophagus on the roadway of Kaya Caddesi and the alleys adjacent to it, other Lycian sarcophagi can be found. Two more massive sarcophagi are located a little further along the street, in a small park.
Of particular interest is the sarcophagus with the image of open palms, also located in the Kaya Caddesi area. This symbol, often found on Lycian tombs, has a special meaning. Researchers believe that open palms indicated that the deceased died a violent death or left life too early. This sign served as a warning and, perhaps, a call for vengeance or commemoration.
The sarcophagi on Kaya Caddesi, although not raised to the height of the cliffs, were still set on massive pedestals that rose above the ground in ancient times. This was a compromise solution for those who could not afford the luxury of a rock tomb but wanted to provide the soul with an easy path to the heavens.
The Lycian sarcophagi on Kaya Caddesi in Fethiye are an interesting example of how ancient history can organically integrate into the modern urban environment. They have not been moved to a museum nor enclosed by high fences. They stand where they were placed over two thousand years ago. As you walk along Kaya Caddesi, pause for a moment by these ancient tombs. Imagine how they looked two thousand years ago, when they stood on the shore of the bay.
