Myra
Myra is a visitable archaeological site in Demre, Antalya, Türkiye, with surviving remains visible on site.
Photo: Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Country
- Türkiye
- Region
- Demre, Antalya
- Civilisation
- Anatolian heritage
- Period
- Classical–Roman–Byzantine
Through time
The story
Myra was a city in Lycia in what is today Turkey. The city was probably founded by Lycians, and was located on the river Myros (Ancient Greek: Μύρος; Turkish: Demre Çay), in the fertile alluvial plain between the Massikytos range (Ancient Greek: Μασσικυτός; Turkish: Alaca Dağ) and the Aegean Sea. By the 3rd century BC, the city was Hellenized. Following the wars of the diadochi the area came under the loose control of the Ptolemies, the Seleucids, and finally the Romans.
The region remained under Roman control until it was conquered by the Seljuks and later the Ottomans. During the Ottoman rule the small Turkish town of Kale was established in the area of Myra in the present-day Antalya Province of Turkey. Kale was renamed to Demre in 2005.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Rock-cut tombs
- Roma Theatresu
- Aziz Nikolaos Churchsi
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Myra
No discoveries yet. Be the first to share a photo from here.
