Xanthos - Lycian Capital
Xanthos or modern day Kinik has extensive Lycian remains amongst the later Roman and Byzantine buildings. Xanthos was founded in the second century BC and was the capital of the Lycian Union and described in antiquity as Lycia's largest city, in conjunction with the Lycian spiritual and cultural centre of Letoon, 10km to the south. Many Lycian rulers cam from Xanthos. The city was much visited by Alexander the Great, and was also mentioned in the Iliad. The Romans forcefully conquered Xanthos under Brutus in 43 BC, though the Lycian influence continued into the Byzantine period.
The Amphitheatre at Xanthos
Xanthos was largely rebuilt by the Romans following the destruction by Brutus, and the city walls were repaired and expanded under the Byzantines, who also built a monastry at the top of the hill on the north.
Xanthos is the closest site of Lycian remains to your base in Kalkan making an excellent day trip option. The amphitheatre, Tomb of Harpies, Nereid monument, agora, and inscribed pillar tombs are among a mixture of archaeological ruins at Xanthos.
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