The ancient site of Myra

The ancient site of Myra lies 2.5 km north of the small town of Demre. There you can discover an interesting ancient theatre as well as a fine necropolis cut into the mountain.

We recommend that you complete the visit by discovering the Church of St Nicholas at Demre and Kekova Bay.

Practical information:

The ancient site of Myra lies 2.5 km north of Demre.
A free car park is situated in front of the theatre. GPS coordinates of the car park: N36.257495, E29.986615

Admission charged - open every day. From 1 April to 30 September, 8.30 am to 7.00 pm. From 1 October to 31 March, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

History of Myra:

The ancient town of Myra was, in the 2nd century BC, part of the Lycian League. Conquered, like the whole region, by Alexander the Great, it developed during the Hellenistic and Roman periods thanks to its harbour, Andriake.

Byzantine, Seljuk, then Ottoman, it declined around the 6th century, following the silting up of the river Miros, which thus cut it off from easy access to the sea for goods.

Abandoned before disappearing completely, it was rediscovered only in the 19th century. Of its former glory only the theatre and the two rock-cut necropoles remain.

Worth a visit:

The theatre was originally built by the Greeks, as shown by the cavea of 38 rows of seats cut into the hill itself. It could hold 8,000 spectators, but its porticus summa, which allowed the spectators to leave easily, has unfortunately disappeared.

Following the earthquake of the year 141, the theatre was entirely remodelled by the Romans. A stage wall, unknown to the Greeks, was built, and a new orchestra allowed gladiatorial combats and combats with wild animals.

The ground around the theatre is strewn with its many sculpted elements, awaiting a possible restoration.

However, the main interest of the site is the two Lycian necropoles cut into the hillside. Access to them is at present forbidden, as a measure of preservation and safety.

A little behind the theatre, and clearly visible from it, is the necropolis called the sea necropolis. This part of the hill is entirely cut with tombs whose façades, with false doors, represent the entrance of a house, and the deceased placed inside. A few excavated cenotaphs represent a temple, for the roof is pitched and not ogival.

The second necropolis, called the river necropolis, lies 1 km east of the theatre. Unfortunately the greenhouses cover the plain right up to the foot of the cliff, thus preventing a good view of the decoration of these tombs, which still have traces of polychromy.