Kaunos Ancient City

Kaunos Ancient City, worth exploring for history lovers, is on the list of places to see in Ortaca. This ancient city fascinates its visitors with its Roman ruins. The ancient theatre, monumental tombs and agora area in Kaunos Ancient City offer visitors the opportunity to take a journey into the depths of the past. While this historical place impresses its visitors with its fascinating atmosphere, it also plays an important archaeological and cultural role. Kaunos Ancient City is a unique destination where history lovers can embark on a true time travel and discover the rich heritage of the Carian region.

History of Kaunos Ancient City

Kaunos Ancient City, founded by Kaunos, one of the twin children of Miletus, is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Kaunos was home to archaic, classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine settlements. Today, when viewed from the castle of the ancient city located in Çandır neighbourhood of Köyceğiz, the magnificent delta and city view of Dalyan in the borders of Ortaca district can be seen.

According to Herodotus, the father of history, the people of Caunos were among the ancient peoples of Caria, but they considered themselves Cretans. The geographer Strabo wrote that there was a shipyard and a harbour that could be closed in the city of Kaunos.

Kaunos was an important trade city of the ancient period. The harbour of the city used to be located below the acropolis, in what is today called Sülüklü Lake, but over time, Kaunos lost its former importance when the harbour entrance was filled with alluvium and the harbour entrance was closed. At that time, the sea used to come up to the acropolis of Kaunos, and today it is located on a hill 152 metres above sea level. In addition, the city has a theatre with 33 seating rows, a basilica type church, a Roman bath and temple ruins.