Simena Ancient City
Ancient Simena, today known as Kaleköy, is a small Lycian coastal city, dating back to B.C. It is a strategic point that has been inhabited since the 4th century. The ruin that most vividly reflects this feature is the castle, which has survived to this day. It is possible to watch the most perfect views of Kekova and its surroundings from here. Simena is one of the rare settlements in Turkey that can only be reached by sea. It was created to protect the natural, cultural and geographical values of Kekova Island and the surrounding coasts. Simena Ancient City, located within the Kekova Special Environmental Protection Area covering an area of 260 square kilometers, is registered as a first-degree archaeological protected area. Kekova, which gave its name to the region, is the name of both the 7.4 kilometer long island, whose closest point to the shore is 500 meters, right opposite Simena, and the general area of the region including Simena, Teimiussa (Üçağız), Aperlai (Sıcak) Pier, Akvaryum Bay, Gökkaya Bay. is the name. The northern shores of the island facing Simena are full of traces of the civilization that was partially submerged in the water during earthquakes in ancient times, such as stone stairs, house ruins, pier ruins, half of which are in the water and the other half are outside, extending to a depth of 4-5 meters in the sea. Simena is located on the peninsula opposite Kekova Island. Üçağız, known as the port city of Teimiussa in ancient times and the first land entrance to the Kekova Region, was the most reliable corner, located next to neighboring Simena, protecting sailors against the strongest waves of the Mediterranean. Between Kaleköy and Üçağız, it is possible to observe the ruins of roads and docks that have been submerged towards the shore among the small islets that were used as quarries, especially for sarcophagi.
