Letoon - Spiritual and Cultural Capital of Lycia
Letoon is a site of great archaeological significance, with many partially submerged ancient ruins, and has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Letoon was the Spiritual and Cultural Capital of Lycia in conjunction with Xanthos, the political capital of Lycia, 10km to the north. Letoon was not a city, as such, as there were no residential areas. Many important Lycian national festivals were known to have been held here.
Sunken Temple Ruins at Letoon
Letoon has three temples dedicated to gods familiar to local Lycian mythology, Leto, Apollo and Artemis. The area actually takes its name from Leto, mistress of Zeus and mother of Apollo and Artemis, their twin sons. One myth tells Leto was helped by wolves to find the Xanthos River, and in gratitude she named the region Lycia, from 'Lycos' the Greek for wolf.
Letoon has been the site of many important finds including the Trilingual Stele, and artefact containing inscriptions written in Greek, Lycian and Aramaic which has proven valuable in deciphering the Lycian Language. The Stele can seen in Fethiye Museum. The site was also visited by Alexander the Great. Important inscriptions found at Letoon describe his visit.
The Roman theatre at Letoon is said to be the most beautiful in the region. Letoon is also the site of a Byzantine basilica.
Roman Theatre at Letoon
- < The Lycians - back
- < Home page - back