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 This
page is under construction Founded around the 9th century BC, Caunos became an important Carian city in
400 B.C. Right on the border with the Kingdom of Lycia, its culture reflected
aspects of both Kingdoms. The tombs, for instance, are in Lycian style. When
Maussolos of Halicarnassus was ruler of Caria, his Hellenistic influence reached
the Caunians, who eagerly adopted the culture. This mixture of cultures in
Caunos may be seen amongst the ruins of its various archaeological remains: the
Carian city wall built by Maussolos, the Lycian and Carian tombs, the medieval
walls on the acropolis, a Roman fountain dedicated to Vespasianus, a theatre
from the 2nd century BC, remains of 4 temples, massive Roman baths and a
Byzantine basilica of 5th/8th centuries.
One of the most beautiful features of the site are the rock tombs sculpted in
the form of the porticoes of small Ionic temples. These are among the most
splendid examples of Lycian type funerary architecture in Turkey, although the
builders were Carians. The prosperity of Caunos was threatened by the silting of
the harbour after which the city was eventually abandoned. The Mediterranean,
which once surrounded the hill on which the archaeological site stands, has now
retreated 5 km. to the south, pushed back by silt from the Dalyan Cayi. The
marsh which formed appears to have already been a problem for the harbour
activities in Strabon times. The loggerhead turtle (Caretta-caretta) used to be common throughout Mediterranean, but its nesting
grounds have been diminished, due to shore development; today this graceful
swimmer is considered an endangered species.
Fethiye is one of the last -and the most important- nesting areas in the
Mediterranean for the loggerhead turtle.
The male turtle never leaves the sea but in the early summer the female comes
to the south-coast beaches of Dalaman, Göcek, Dalyan, Istuzu,
Calis and Katranci to lay its eggs in the sand.
The young are hatched by the sun's heat and after 55 days crawl into the sea.
Special measures have been taken for the protection of the nests.
The information booths and message-boards in the nesting areas will provide
you with detailed information about the ways you can help.
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