Demre - Antalya. Excursions in the ancient city of Demre: Myra, the Church of St. Nicholas, Adriak. Lycian tombs. Necropolis

Today I will talk about small town V - Demre. What is this city famous for? The fact that, firstly, it is considered birthplace of Saint Nicholas . Yes, yes, our winter St. Nicholas, who brings us gifts on December 19 (maybe they found sweets under their pillows that day? 😎), he is also called Santa Claus. And secondly, the fact that there are ruins here ancient Lycian city of Myra , which is interesting for its rock tombs and an amphitheatre.

Lycian rock tombs

Demre, Mira: where is it and how to get there

The modern city of Demre is located 150 km from. It is located not on the seashore itself, but 5 km from the coast. The ruins of the city of Mira are located about 2.5 km from the center of Demre.

You can get to Demre and Mira

After a night in, a hike up the mountain to, a short stop in the orange capital of Turkey, we drove up to the ancient Lycian city of the World . By the way, if Finike is the orange capital, then Demre and nearby towns are a tomato paradise. How many greenhouses are there where delicious juicy Turkish tomatoes are grown!

Myra Lycian. Cost of visit and opening hours

The cost of visiting the ruins of the ancient city of the World is 15 lira ($ 7.5). Parking for a car - 5 lira ($ 2.5). Toilet is free 😎

You can visit Mira from 9:00 to 19:00.

Near the entrance to the territory there is a small market with souvenirs, a couple of cafes, they sell freshly squeezed orange juice everywhere.

Myra Lycian

Mira– capital ancient state Lycia. Let me remind you that Lycia- an ancient state that was located on the territory of modern Turkey on the Teke Peninsula, approximately from Antalya to Mugla. At one time, the state of Lycia had a huge influence, participated in many wars and raids, minted its own coins and had its own script. Lycia is also unique with its rock tombs and sarcophagi in the rocks.

The city of Mira was formed in the 5th century BC. on the river Andrak. Where the name “Mir” came from is not known. According to one version, from the word "myrrh" - a resin that was used to make incense. The city was also called the "Pearl of the Coast".

Mira, along with other 23 cities, was part of the Lycian Union; its coins were minted here, on which the goddess Artemis was depicted.

Mira strikes with its rock tombs. Just for the sake of this spectacle, it is worth coming here! The Lycians believed that it was necessary to bury the dead as high as possible to the sky, this would help them get to paradise sooner. The higher a person was buried, there he was richer. Some tombs are made in the shape of a house. Lycian inscriptions have been preserved on the tombs, many of them have not yet been deciphered.

Next to the tombs Greco-Roman amphitheater. If the tombs date back to the 4th century BC, then the theater was built already in the 4th century AD.

This huge amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 10 thousand people, was repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt again. There were performances, gladiator fights, entertainment events.

Now you can climb, walk around the amphitheater in Mir, and just sit and bask in the sun. By the way, it is very hot in Mir even in May. They say that in summer the temperature here can reach +45 degrees!

Myra Lycian, Video

Mira was very famous city and in the year 60, on his way to Rome, he was visited by the Apostle Paul. Since that time, a Christian community has been formed in Mir.

In the year 300 Nicholas preached in Mir. He himself was the son of a navigator, originally from Patara (it is believed that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of travelers). He began to be called Nicholas the Wonderworker after several unusual healings. He was a bishop in the World until his death, until the year 343.

The Turks call him Noel Baba - Father of Christmas, we call him St. Nicholas, and residents of other countries - Santa Claus. Every year, on December 6, a service is held in the church, which brings together many people from all over the world.

After the death of Nicholas the Wonderworker in the 4th century, a church was built, which was destroyed and rebuilt more than once. Now the church Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker covered with a canopy, it can be visited by paying 15 lira for the entrance (we did not visit).

Inside the church there is a sarcophagus where Nicholas the Wonderworker was buried, but the relics themselves are no longer in the sarcophagus, they were taken long ago to the city of Bari in Italy.

In the city of Demre itself, there are several church shops where you can buy icons, crosses and other church attributes.

And a few more photos of the town itself Demre

The city of Demre and the ancient city of Myra It will be interesting to visit both lovers of ancient cities and lovers of churches. We were very satisfied with our trip to Mira. Pacified, we left the city, our path lay to the place of our next overnight stay in Turkey. But more on that in the next article.

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Türkiye is considered one of the most ancient and beautiful countries. It is famous for its attractions. Most of them appeared in ancient times. Various myths and legends have been created about these periods.

General information

Beauty is mesmerizing. Entire cities, bridges, fortresses and houses leave no one indifferent. There are also many natural monuments. For example, hills, coasts, rocks, etc. Tourists celebrate their extraordinary beauty. Many visitors come here every year. It should be said that the cost is quite affordable.

Two sides of relaxation

It is noteworthy that most often tourists do not know about the numerous ones. They stay in hotels, bask in the warm sun and swim in the sea. However, sometimes you can leave the beach and spend time looking at local attractions and cultural monuments.

Excursion "Türkiye: Demre-Mira-Kekova"

For those who love legends and magic stories you should definitely visit this country. For such guests, an excursion "Demre-Mira-Kekova" is organized. The tour involves a trip to the cities and sightseeing. Travel participants can visit the place where Santa Claus was born. Demre is famous for its touching historical architectural monument. This refers to the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Tourists will also be able to see the ancient city. It was destroyed during an earthquake. The city belongs to the Lycian time. It is planned to visit houses and churches. Guests can visit the ancient fortress on Simena. Many will be excited by the views of the ancient Greek necropolis. It represents the tombs, which are located in the niche of a huge rock. The lords and their servants are buried here.

Advantages

This perfect place for those who are interested historical events. Tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" (Turkey) is an examination of the unusual sights of the country. You can buy it almost everywhere. For example, directly in the hotel. You can also book a tour by visiting travel companies. Their offices are located on many streets of the city.

Price

There is an opinion that in street agencies for the tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" the price is lower than in other firms. It is believed that this is due to the fact that their cost does not include accident insurance. In this situation, it is worth taking into account certain details. The cost of the tour does not depend on the amount of insurance. It is already reflected in the travel package. Consideration insured event carried out when the guest was injured not on the tour, but during extreme situation. There is a fairly high level of competition. Firms and street agencies are constantly fighting for visitors. The cost of the tour already includes a boat trip and entrance tickets to historical places. It is best to have money with you in case you want to buy icons and souvenirs. Guests will be offered various attributes of religious themes. Estimated price tour - 35 dollars.

Profitable option

Very often there are situations when guests who have purchased a ticket at a hotel from a guide travel on the same bus with tourists who have signed up for an excursion at a street agency. Everyone can choose the most profitable option for themselves, as prices vary, and the conditions are almost the same.

Comfortable travel

For most vacationers, a tour of the cities of Demre, Mir, Kekova starts from Antalya or Alanya. In this case, the journey will last at least four hours. Tourists will have to ride on a comfortable bus equipped with air conditioning. The path runs through the mountain serpentine. During the road, tourists can admire the stunning views of the valleys that are located below. There is a lot of vegetation there. Nearby are cliffs and mountains.

Precautionary measures

Not everyone has a well-developed vestibular apparatus. In this case, it is worth taking candy or chewing gum with you. Do not constantly look out the windows of the bus. However, it is very difficult. Unusual views attract the eye. From azure sea and centuries-old rocks it is impossible to look away.

Nutrition Features

During the tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" the bus will make several sanitary stops. Breakfast will be held in the first city. Guests can enjoy strong herbal tea, which is not diluted with water. There will be a lunch stop before the boat trip. It is also planned to visit one of the restaurants in the city of Mira. Here guests will be offered delicious fish and chicken dishes with vegetable side dishes. Dessert provided. It is served depending on the season, for example, it will be slices of watermelon or other fruits. All drinks are provided for a fee. The exception is tea.

ancient temple

Guests can visit the church of St. Nicholas. At one time, he continued to preach Christianity, despite the fact that the Roman authorities forbade him to do so. In the church you can feel the spirit of that time. A sarcophagus is kept here, in which the relics of the saint were originally located. They were later moved to another location. There is a legend about this event. It says that when the sarcophagus was opened, it was full of peace. Since that time, it is believed that he has miraculous powers. The City of Peace has become Holy place. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to receive blessings. With the help of a sarcophagus, many religious attributes are consecrated, for example, crosses and icons. This unique place. It is both Christian and Muslim shrine. There have been many cases of miraculous healing of believers in the church. Most of the frescoes are well preserved. Guests will be able to closely examine the altar and touch the sarcophagus. A small market is located very close to the temple. Here you can buy various products made of wood and silver. All of them are consecrated.

Historical information

Commonly known as Santa Claus. He was born in Patara. Nicholas was the preacher of the city of Mira. In historical sources, information has been preserved that he showed extraordinary mercy towards the poor and children. Thus, the prototype of Santa Claus was born. Nicholas was considered the patron saint of children. Central Town Square named after this saint. There is a very funny monument here. The whole space is illuminated by the sun's rays, camels are resting nearby, and in the center of the square is Santa Claus, dressed in a fur coat.

ancient greek cemetery

A visit to the necropolis is also included in the program of the tour around the cities of Demre, Mir, Kekova. Photos taken during the trip will remind you of these amazing places. The entrances to the cemetery are located in a huge rock. They are decorated with columns. The tombs of the poor are located at the very bottom. At the foot of the cliff is an amphitheater. It was built for the burial of wealthy gentlemen. In ancient times, it was believed that a person continues to live in the afterlife. He needs to have fun and have own house. The master himself will live on the first floor of the building, and his servants will be accommodated on the second. Currently, work is underway to restore the amphitheater.

End of tour

After lunch, the journey through the cities of Demre, Mira, Kekova ends with a boat trip. The guests will go to the bay above Simen. It is a city that was also destroyed by an earthquake during the Lycian era. The boat is equipped with a partially transparent bottom. When the engines are turned off, the participants of the excursion will be able to see the Lycian sarcophagus at a depth. It is a broken foundation. ancient fortress. The fortification was located on the Kekova peninsula. Here you can see fragments of various utensils and ancient amphorae. The water has an unusual color. Through it you can see the outlines of preserved houses and palaces, baths and other buildings. The views can impress everyone.

Additional Information

IN documentary"Odyssey" sings of unreal beauty underwater world Kekovy. The sunken city inspired journalists to create a TV report about it. The coast of the peninsula is replete with numerous fishermen's restaurants, which are always open to tourists. Here you can try fresh seafood dishes. During the tour, guests will be offered to buy various icons depicting saints.

Nowadays there are more and more incompetent guides working here. They provide false information to tour participants. The fact is that some copies do not quite correspond to the original icons. It is not recommended to buy them if you are not sure of the authenticity of the image.

Tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" (the map shows that these places are located close to each other) lasts only one day. Departure from the hotel is carried out early in the morning, at about 5:00. Often the bus leaves from the travel agency or hotel where the tour was booked. However, this information should be clarified with the operator in advance.

Most likely, guests will want to sleep on the road. Therefore, it is worth buying a special inflatable pillow under the head. The path is quite long. From Antalya to go about four hours. It is better to stock up at the hotel. Be sure to bring a large bottle of water with you.

Lunch is usually already included in the price of the tour. It includes meat dish and vegetable side dish. Drinks are provided for a fee. However, their cost is quite high. For a half-liter bottle of water, you will have to pay about two dollars. There are also higher rates.

The places that tourists will get acquainted with on excursions are incredibly picturesque. Many will surely want to capture them. It is recommended to take a camera or camcorder with you as a precaution. The entire journey of the excursion participants will be accompanied by the scorching Turkish sun. Tourists will have the opportunity to swim in the sea during long road. For this reason, it is recommended to take a bathing suit on the trip.

ruin ancient city Mira And .

Demre (Demre), or Kale (Kale) - small Turkish town great story. Today Demre is famous for its numerous greenhouses. Demre is the capital of tomatoes. And the architecture of the city is faceless gray boxes. But nevertheless, two significant historical sights have been preserved here - ruins of the ancient city Mira And church of st. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Demre (Mira and Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker) on the map of Turkey

Demre is located in the south of Turkey next to the seaside highway D400, a couple of km from mediterranean sea.

Demre on the map of Turkey (clickable)

How to get to Demre (Worlds and Churches of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker)

It will not be difficult to get to Demre from the cities of Antalya and, as well as other cities located on the D400 highway between Antalya and Kas (Finike, Kemer, Tekirova, etc.). If you want to get to Demre (Mira) from Fethiye, you will have to change in Kas, and from Alanya - in Antalya.

There is also a direct option to get to Demre from Fethiye by bus Fethiye - Antalya by the company. BUT: firstly, you need a long route that goes along the D400 highway. Short route Antalya - Fethiye through Korkuteli will not work. Secondly, the bus does not stop in Demre, but passes along the D400 highway, which runs a little away from the city. We'll have to get to the center of Demre.

From Antalya, you can get to Demre from the bus station (otogar) from the terminal of local routes. Buses and dolmushi to Demre from Antalya run every half an hour or an hour, depending on the time of day, from 6.00. On the way 2.5 hours. You don't need to buy tickets in advance, you pay on the bus.

The bus station (otogar) in Demre is located in the city center (see map below)

Bus schedule Demre - Kas

Bus schedule Demre - Antalya

How to get from Demre to Kekova and Uchayz

Also, while in Demre, you can visit Kekova, or Uchayz. The bus, unfortunately, is very inconvenient from Demre, only one and in the evening at 17.45. Therefore, if you do not plan to spend the night in Uchayz, you can take a dolmush or taxi to Chayagzy (5 km from Demre). Here was ancient port Myra - Andriake, there are some ruins, a beach. From here excursion ships depart to Kekova.

Demre Map

Demre Map

The following objects are marked on the map of Demre:

1. Otogar (bus station)

2. Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Noel Baba)

3. Ruins of the ancient city of Myra

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Demre

Ticket price for the Church of St. Nicholas - 15 lire (as of September 2013)

Church of St. Nicholas on (Aziz Nikolaos kilisesi) is located in the center of Demre within walking distance from the otogar (bus station).

Church of St. Nicholas was built in the 4th century. on the site of a pagan temple after the death of Nicholas the Wonderworker. Although today the church of St. Nicholas acts as a museum, once a year on December 6, a service is held in it. Church of St. Nicholas in its history was repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes and invaders. But each time it was revived. At the same time, they were rebuilt and enlarged. In the 19th century church of st. Nicholas was reconstructed at the expense of Russian Empire, in particular and on funds royal family Nicholas I.

Today the church of St. Nikolai is in a fairly good condition, she was covered with a canopy from above. So external beauty cannot be appreciated. Especially since most of building of the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is below ground level.

The central part of the church building of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - a huge hall.

The hall is surrounded by corridors and passages.

Here you can see the sarcophagi

Incl. and a sarcophagus in which Nicholas the Wonderworker himself was buried. There is always a long queue for him. But the relics themselves are no longer in the sarcophagus. In 1087, when the Seljuks occupied Mira, Italian merchants secretly took the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker to italian city Bari, where they are to this day. It is believed that some of the relics are in Archaeological Museum Antalya. But there is no 100% proof that these are his relics.

Despite numerous reconstructions, in the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, numerous frescoes of the 11th-12th centuries are well preserved.

Preserved and ancient floor mosaics

The inner courtyard of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Ancient World

Today from glorious city There is little left in the world. But even for this it is worth coming to Demre. The most well-preserved theater, Lycian tombs.

How to get to Mira

Ancient Myra is located a couple of kilometers from the modern center of Demre. From the bus station Demre to the ruins of the city of Mira can be reached on foot, slowly, in 25 minutes (see map of Demre above). You need to go straight north for a long time past Belediye (city hall), then turn left (there will be a Mira sign). A taxi from the bus station (otogar) Demre to the ruins of Mira will cost 10 lira (September 2013).

History of the city of Mira

The city of Peace was founded in the 5th century. BC. on the river Myros. By the 3rd c. BC. The world becomes the most important city Lycia. in the year 60 the Apostle Paul visited the world, bringing Christianity to the world. And in the days of the early Byzantium, the World becomes religious center. The city flourished for many centuries. But in the 7th century there was a great flood, which made it impossible to go down the river to the sea. Mira was moved to the place where modern Demre is located. The city has lost its significance and glory. But continued to be a place of pilgrimage, because. Here was the church of St. Nicholas, and later a monastery.

Sights and photos of the city of Mira

Today, a museum is open on the territory of Mira.

Ticket price for the ruins of Mira - 15 lire (September 2013)

Once in Myra, the picturesque Lycian tombs carved into the rock immediately attract attention.

Many preserved inscriptions, reliefs

Also in Mir you can see Lycian sarcophagi.

Also in Mir, a theater for 10 thousand spectators is well preserved. The Mira Theater has 38 rows. The Mira Theater still performs its direct functions today. It hosts concerts, performances and other mass entertainment events.

At the top of the hillruins of the acropolis

Demre himself is of little interest. Obligatory Ataturk near City Hall

Mosque in the city center

An integral part of modern Demre is thousands and thousands of greenhouses. There are probably even more of them than there are houses.

Hotels and pensions Demre

There are hotels and pensions in Demre, although there are not many of them. For example, on the way to Mira there is a boarding house Kent. You can also stay in boarding houses and hotels in nearby cities - Kas, Finike. Hotels in Kas, Finike, Demre can also be viewed through the hotel search form above the article.

The tour was purchased from a tour operator. It is said to be one of the most popular excursions in Antalya. We traveled from Kemer. A great option to diversify the "vegetable" hotel vacation and get to know wonderful Turkey. Initially, excursions were not planned, but, later, we did not regret the trip at all. Excursion "Demre-Mira-Kekova" cost us $ 50 with a trip from the village of Kirish, we did not pay extra for the entrance anywhere. And now the details...

So what do we get for $50...

Excursion program Demre-Mira-Kekova from Kemer:

• Gathering of tourists
• Stop for breakfast (lunch bag brought with you) and photo / video shooting
• Visiting the Church of St. Nicholas (the icon shop of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker)
• Lunch at a restaurant
• Mira - visiting the ancient city
• Boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova
• Stop
• Return to hotels

The first part of the tour: Demre city and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

A comfortable bus picked us up at the hotel at 8 am and headed to the first point of our program - the city of Demre. From the village of Kirish, where our hotel is located, to Demre is an hour and a half drive.

About halfway there was a “sanitary and hygienic” stop, here you could smoke, suffer from this bad habit, drink a glass of fresh juice and take a selfie against the backdrop of the sea).

The rest of the way to the city of Demre was full of steep turns and mountain serpentines (people with a weak vestibular apparatus will have a hard time). But looking out the bus window, we forgot about all the inconveniences. The views were amazing.

We admired sea ​​coast and majestic mountain ranges, and the guide talked about the origins of Orthodoxy, which are inextricably linked with the history of the places where we were to visit. And also, about the birth, life and death of the greatest historical and religious figure - Nicholas the Wonderworker. For many centuries Saint Nicholas has been one of the most famous and revered saints in Christianity. As our guide put it, we were not going anywhere, but to his house.

The ancient city of Demre is one of the most interesting places in Turkey. The bus stopped in a parking lot near Churches of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker . Then we were taken to an icon shop, where you could buy icons and various religious attributes.

Everything is expensive. But to buy or not - it's up to you. If you don’t have enough money with you, but you really liked it, you will be offered to pick up the purchase and pay for it upon arrival at the hotel.

At the exit from the shop, there is a souvenir shop, I think that in other places all this can be purchased cheaper. It is impossible not to note the desire of locals to make money on good Russian tourists.

By the way, about the images of Santa Claus on souvenirs (photo above). Why can you see them everywhere in Demre? The guide told us the story and legend of Nicholas the Wonderworker, who, it turns out, is the prototype of Santa Claus and our own Father Frost.

Here it is impossible not to be distracted by short story about this beloved and revered saint.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker - the prototype of Santa Claus

The Greek name Nicholas means "victorious people" from the verb "nikon" - to win. This name has many analogues in European languages: Nicholas, Miklos (-sh), Klaus, Nikalavsh, Nicole - which is also evidence of the popularity of St. Nicholas in Europe.

Not much is known about the life and work of Saint Nicholas. Many historical data about his life were overgrown with legends and fiction, which were spread by oral retelling among people, forming the so-called hagiographic epic, which has little in common with the true life of this saint.

It is known that Saint Nicholas was born in the city of Patara Lycian (Asia Minor) around the year 270. He was the only child of rich parents, whom they begged from God through long and fervent prayers. From childhood, he was distinguished not only by piety, but also by a passionate love for the poor. After the death of his parents, he shared his large property with those in need: he secretly threw money at night to three girls whom their parents wanted to pass off as rich but wicked suitors. This incident was even described in his epic by Dante.

The legend says… When, once again, St. Nicholas made his way into the house of the poor bride through the chimney and threw a bag of coins, he landed in one of the socks drying there. From here, supposedly, the tradition of Europeans to put a Christmas present in a sock began.

We all know the custom to dress in St. Nicholas on Christmas or new year's eve when he brings gifts to children, hiding them in a sock under his pillow. Even Santa Claus in our tradition is the figure of St. Nicholas.

About the life of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was elected bishop in the city of Myra (now Demre), he attracted the hearts of believers not only by the diligence of the pastor, but above all by caring for the material needs of the poor and orphans.

When Constantine the Great condemned three people to death for a small crime, Saint Nicholas himself went to Constantinople and begged for forgiveness for them. Once he saved fishermen with a prayer during a storm, which is why he is revered as the patron saint of sailors and all wanderers. If there was an epidemic in the city, he helped the sick, risking his own life. Legend says that Nicholas resurrected three people killed by the innkeeper because they couldn't pay for the night's lodging.

Saint Nicholas was thrown into prison during the persecution of Diocletian in the 4th century. He was released only after the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine the Great in 313. Saint Nicholas took part in the first Council of 325 in Nicaea, at which the heresy of Arius was condemned.

After many years of his service to God's people, Saint Nicholas died between 345 and 352. His body was buried in Mir, where he rested until 1087. On May 9 of the same year, the body of the saint was transferred to the Italian city of Bari, and on September 29, the solemn consecration of the tomb took place, which was performed by Pope Urban II. It is here, at the tomb of St. Nicholas, in 1098 a Synod was held, the purpose of which was to conclude a union (union) between the Eastern and Western Churches. Among the 184 bishops - the fathers of the Synod - was St. Anselm of Canterbury, who was being persecuted in England at the time.

In Bari, in the Basilica of St. Nicholas, a document has been preserved that tells how the remains of the saint were transferred from Mira, where the Turks dominated at that time. Two priests bribed the Turks and took out the remains at night, thus ahead of the Venetian merchants, who also wanted to have them, giving a lot of money for them.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Demre

In 1957, scientific research was carried out on the remains of St. Nicholas. They were attended by the papal delegate Cardinal Jan Piazza, Cardinal Agazhan, 6 metropolitans and 19 bishops. According to the results, Saint Nicholas had a short stature - about 167 cm, but was well built, at the time of his death he was about 72-80 years old. His relics emit a fragrant oil - Miro, who is credited with healing power. Its composition cannot be determined by science.

We had the good fortune to wander around the church where St. Nicholas was buried, admiring the majestic vaults and centuries-old frescoes. And now there is a sarcophagus (behind glass, for security reasons) where his relics were kept before they were transported to Italian Bari. Icons, crosses, etc. are applied to it. The queue was long, and we were afraid not to have time to touch the shrine in the half hour allotted by the guide. But we managed to do everything and if you have such an opportunity, I advise you to definitely use it.

The first forms of the cult of St. Nicholas dates back to the 6th century, when Caesar Justinian built a basilica dedicated to the saint in Constantinople. Caesar Basil the Macedonian in the 7th century. in his palace he erected a chapel in honor of the saint. By the 9th century in Rome, two shrines were already known in honor of St. Nicholas. Pope Nicholas the Great, honoring his guardian, erected a chapel in honor of the saint, and over time in Rome the number of shrines in his honor exceeded 10.

In the villages, Saint Nicholas became the patron saint of shepherds, he protects livestock from diseases and wolves, so the shepherds held a fast on the eve of the saint's day - December 5, and ordered mass for the cattle on the holiday itself.
In the Catholic tradition, Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of travelers, children, marriageable girls, sailors, fishermen, bakers, and prisoners.
IN Eastern Churches he is a helper "in every business", like St. Anthony in the Western Church. The tradition of giving gifts on St. Nicholas, December 6, or at Christmas.

The second part of the tour: the ancient Lycian city of Mira

Then we went to the city of Mira - the capital of the ancient state of Lycia, which was once located on the territory of modern Turkey. On the way, we were fed lunch in a restaurant "a la canteen" (let's say, a very modest Buffet) and another twenty minutes later we were already landing in the ancient ancient city of the World.

On the way to historical sights in malls sell souvenirs and sweets. But our guide strongly recommended not to buy them, saying that we would soon understand everything ourselves (we later appreciated this trump card in the sleeve ... well, cunning, in our repertoire).

The guide briefly introduced us to the history of Mira and these architectural structures and gave us half an hour to explore them on our own.

So, in one place, next to each other, we saw ancient necropolis(Lycian tombs carved into the rocks) and an ancient amphitheater. Naturally, such a neighborhood of death and a holiday seemed strange to us, but everything turned out to be simple - these structures were erected in different periods of time.

Ancient Lycian necropolis in Myra

The tombs certainly make a strong impression. Surprisingly, they are well preserved, given that Mira was founded in the 5th century. BC.

Greco-Roman amphitheater in Mir

The Roman amphitheater in Myra was built many centuries after the Lycian tombs. There are still ongoing archaeological work and all the "ownerless" stone fragments, slabs and columns, carefully stacked next to the amphitheater, will soon take their place.

Well, how about without the entertainment part! The next point of our program is the island of Kekova, with a sunken ancient city.

The third part of the tour: the island of Kekova and the sunken ancient city

The bus drove up to the pier, where a small two-deck yacht was waiting for our friendly team led by a guide. We were helped to dive and take our favorite seats. Under cheerful Turkish motives, we moved to the island of Kekova, where the ruins of the ancient city of Dolichiste are located, destroyed in the 2nd century AD, according to historians.

The yacht has a bar with drinks and ice cream for separate fee. Those who wished were offered to refresh themselves with seafood (fish, shrimp, crabs), which were grilled a little later. It was possible to move freely around the yacht and, if desired, sunbathe on upper deck.

The ancient, almost ruined city itself, half submerged, impressed. Fragments of stone stairs, walls of houses and temples, even ancient pier. The feeling that the life of this city was cut short suddenly and tragically.

Our yacht sailed so close to ancient city that a fragment of the pier in the water on the port side was clearly visible. It is forbidden to swim and land on the shore here - the Turkish authorities take care of the preservation of the cultural and historical heritage.

But with opposite side- a whole city-museum ancient culture under open sky- the ancient city of Simena. The ruins of an ancient fortress (4th century BC) are visible on the hill. Unusual ancient tombs in the form of inverted boats.

Now it's a paradise for wealthy tourists seeking solitude. They say that these are Hollywood stars and, almost, the Queen of Spain herself.

And finally, where you can swim!!! Our yacht "dropped anchor" in the sea, not far from the island, and ... we were finally able to swim in an incredibly clear water Mediterranean Sea, washing the island of Kekova. It was amazing! The depth below us is 8-10 meters.

During this stop, which lasted about half an hour, sea reptiles were prepared for those who wished, someone sunbathed on the upper deck, others splashed in the invigorating water. In general, everyone really liked this entertaining and educational part of the Demre-Mira-Kekova excursion. Yes and all excursion program left quite a positive impression.

I suggest to look short video from sightseeing trip to Kekova Island.

I will omit the story about the “forced-voluntary” visit shopping center with a tasting of local fruit wine at the price of a good French one. Well, where without it ☺. This, as it turned out, was the culmination of a program that strongly discouraged us from spending money on street vendors. After all, here you could buy everything your heart desires, and it doesn’t matter that it’s 10 times more expensive).

The ancient city of Demre attracts tourists from all over the world to Turkey, since it was there that two famous sights of Turkey were concentrated at once - the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the ruins of the ancient city of Peace. Both of these beautiful places deserve attention. Today we want to take a closer look at the Lycian tombs in the rocks and the amphitheater of the ancient city of Myra. From the article you will learn:

• How to get to Demre, Mira
• Demre, Mira reviews, photos
• How much does it cost to visit Demre, Mira

Where is Demre, Mira, location on the map

Demre or the city of Kale is located in southern Turkey at a distance of 142 km. from the center of Antalya.

Ruins of the ancient city of Myra, founded in the 5th c. BC, are located approximately 2.5 km. from central street Demre.

How to get to Demre, Mira

In Turkey good roads, so you can get to Demre, Mir without compromising comfort by bus, car or as part of an excursion group.

You can get to the city of Demre from Antalya by bus from the Otogar main station in 2.5 hours. There are many flights from Antalya to Demre daily (hourly from 6 am). Tickets do not need to be bought in advance, they are always on sale. The bus station in Demre is located in the city center, from it to the ruins of the city of Mira 30 minutes. walk following the signs.

Traveling by car, to get to the city of Demre from Antalya, you need to move along the D400 highway. She will take you straight to the city. The road is picturesque, passes through mountains, forests and along the coast. Don't forget your camera - you'll get great photos.

Excursion to Demre at the hotel costs $50-70, in street agencies $25-35. If you tolerate such events well, then this best way- they will pick you up from the hotel, bring you and show you everything, tell you, though you will have to visit a couple of shops along the way and you will return late in the evening.

Demre, Mira reviews, photos

Over the centuries, the city of Mira has successfully developed and flourished. But then there was a big flood, which made it impossible to get out along the river to the sea. As a result, people began to leave the city. At present, the ruins of the city of Mira are carved into the rocks on different height tombs

and the restored amphitheater with a capacity of 9-10 thousand spectators

We arrived at the city of Mira quite late - the sun was beginning to set and there were no tourists at all. We almost alone enjoyed the beauties of the city, paying about $ 8 per person (15 lire) for entry.

At the entrance to the city of Mira, we were attracted by the tombs, hand-carved on high rocks.

They buried the richest and famous people cities. The higher the tomb is located, the richer and more noble the person was during his lifetime.

It's amazing that it was all carved out of stone. ordinary people and not at all modern equipment. We were amazed by the clarity!

Opened rock tombs against the backdrop of sunset and desertedness give this place even more mystery and mysticism.

The initial desire to climb down and look inside any of them has disappeared from us

Having seen enough of the rock tombs, we turned our attention to the ruins of the city

Little is left of the city itself.

Some of the walls, given their age, are quite well preserved.

Solid structures

Vaults are held without cement and thanks to the laws of physics

We had a “4” in physics, so it was scary for us to walk under such vaults. Although, probably it was more the instinct of self-preservation worked

Here is the amphitheater. In this theater, even now, entertainment events are sometimes organized, performances are staged and even concerts are held.

Its diameter is 110 m.

Spectators are seated in 38 rows. We also sat for a while, imagining how exciting the fights and performances were in the arena in ancient times.

Going down, we saw many stones and columns with patterns and images carved on them, which once adorned this beautiful amphitheater.

Some of them are quite well preserved.

Just think it was all done by hand

Somewhere even the inscriptions survived

I think he was very handsome at the time.

In conclusion, I would like to say that an excursion to Demre Mira Kekova is very common in Turkey and there are a lot of tourists during the day. Therefore, if possible, it is better to visit it in the late afternoon. Then you can calmly see everything there and no one will disturb you. Visiting hours of the city of Mira: from 9.00 to 19.00 (April-October), from 8.00-17.00 (November-March), seven days a week.

How much does it cost to visit Demre

Car rental - $50

Gasoline round-trip - $ 38.

Dinner in a cafe - $ 20

Entrance 8 $ (15 lira) per person.