Turkey's Magical Highways Day 10 +

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More time spent in Antalya and then on to Myra where we visited ancient Roman ruins. We climbed into the large theater still has intact marble seats and mask friezes in the elaborate stage area. It seated around 10,000 people. The archaeologists estimate the size of the cities by measuring how large the theatre is times 10. So, if they are correct, there were approximately 100,000 people in the area. There are also Lycian house-tombs carved into cliffs which in itself, were quite amazing. They were built in the 4th century BC, and contain some of the earliest examples of Lycian script.

Another interesting stop was at the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre. This was built in the 4th century AD when St. Nick was the bishop. Do you recognize the name? This is where Santa Claus started -- St. Nickolas was known as the protector of children and enjoyed giving children gifts. There is an annual festival that is well attended by people from all over, especially from Russia and Italy.

After a great lunch in Demre, we drove on to Fethiye through Kekova where there are many fishing villages. In the Fethiye harbor, we boarded our gullet which is a Turkish style yacht where we will be for the next 4 days. I will tell about this experience next.

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Photos

St. Nicholas statue
Children with St. Nicholas outside of church.

Myra - Ancient Theatre ruins
Dramatic faces on stage of ancient theatre that seats 10,000.

Myra Theatre
Seats 10,000

Seats for Royalty
Arms of seats were carved dolphins.