Ancient City of Myra

What to know before you go

Myra ancient ciyt The Church of St. Nicholas, Myra is an ancient city built on a mountain slope facing the sea. It is located 1.5 kilometers north of the Demre district of Antalya. Myra was one of the most important cities in Lycia. Archaeologists claim that the ancient city of Myra dates back to the 5th century BC. Excavations in Myra began in 2009 and continues to this day.

Demre Myra is the most popular excursion in Turkey. Tourists from all over the world come to look at the ancient city of Myra. Even if you did not have time to visit the ancient city of Myra , you have heard many reviews.

The ancient city of Myra became famous thanks to Saint Nicholas, who lived in here. Turks call him Noel Baba, and in other countries they call him Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas was born in Patara at the end of the 21st century. His family was engaged in the grain trade. In religious books, it was indicated that he was born as a gift from heaven, the fruit of the prayers of his parents and the charity they gave. He was the savior of the poor and helped the children. After his death, there were several miraculous healings for those who came to worship.

The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the ancient city of Myra was first built after the death of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the 6th century. At that time, the city was located on the seashore and was subjected to raids by pirates. Under the influence of Arab robberies, the church was destroyed. It has been restored many times. Currently, the church operates as a museum. The largest relic of the church is the white marble sarcophagus where Saint Nicholas was buried. The relics of Nicholas were taken to Italy. But believers claim that this place has the ability to heal. If you hold the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker over the sarcophagus, then it will be charged with great power. Entrance to the church is subject to a fee. But don’t spare the money, I assure you it’s worth it.

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Among the archaeological sites, there is a well-preserved large Greco-Roman amphitheater, which has 14 staircases with 20 rows. The theater has a capacity of 10,000 spectators. The entrance to the theater is open, so you will have the opportunity to go inside and climb to the very top. Good acoustics prevail inside, so your conversation will be heard anywhere in the building. Nowadays, performances and concerts are held here in the evenings. The open air theater was destroyed by an earthquake in 141, but was later rebuilt. Near the theater are ruins of the late period, which may include the baths and the basilica

One of the impressive ruins of Myra, Lycian temples and rock tombs carved into the steep slopes of the acropolis. Most of the tombs carved into the rocks resemble a large house in the distance, and some look like temples. The Lycians believed that the dead should be buried closer to heaven. After death, the soul acquires wings and flies up into the heavens. At the very top were the tombs of people who were significant during their lifetime. The most powerful people had two-story tombs. And the poor were buried on the first floor. Lycian inscriptions have been preserved on the tombs, but at the moment they have not been deciphered.

How to get to the ancient city of Myra

Distance from Antalya to Demre 150 km. This is approximately 2.5 hours. You need to go along the D400 road and then turn towards the Myra sign. If you are traveling by bus, then you need to arrive at the Demre bus station. Then you need to walk for about 30 minutes. You can see another excellent attraction in Turkey. The ancient city of Andriake is located 2.5 km from the city of Myra, which served as a harbor for him.

As an Antalya Tourism Guide for your Antalya Dental Travels, we examined the most interesting places in Antalya and collected the most beautiful sights. While on a dental holiday in Antalya, you can safely find an answer the following question: What to see in Antalya? We welcome your comments and feedback.

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