Ancient Greek theatre of Myra / Demre, Antalya
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Myra had since 6 Century BC, one of the six largest cities of the Lycian Federation. After the division of Lycia Pamphylia Myra became the capital of Lycia.
The goddess Artemis Eleuthera (Cybele) had a cult center in Myra, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 141 AD. An inscription of the Opramoas Rhodiapolis that marks the construction of the theater-financed, their temple in Myra as the largest and most magnificent. A legend and seafood from the shrine by Bishop Nicholas.
Myra was bishop, Nicholas (born 270-286 in Patara, died on December 6, 326, 345 or 351) by Myra worked in the first half of the 4th Century as a bishop here.
809 Myra fell to Arab forces under Harun al-Rashid and became less important. During the reign of Alexius I Comnenus, (1081 – 1118) Myra was conquered by the Islamic Seldschukenherrschern. The city was buried over the centuries under the mud of the river Demre and 1965-68 explored by the German archaeologist Jürgen Borchhardt.
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The Church of St. Nicholas, first basilica of St.. Nicholas was in the 6th Century built. The present three-nave basilica is the core of the 8th Century. Konstantin IX. Monomachos (c. 1000; † January 11, 1055) and Empress Zoe renewed the church. A monastery was in the second half of the 11th Century and the monks were transferred to the care of the pilgrimage.
The bones of Saint Nicholas were transported in 1087 by Italian merchants from Bari. This church is not completely lost their meaning, but was later visited by pilgrims.
The Church, for centuries, sunk in the mud of the river was Demre was in 1863 by Russian Czar Alexander II bought and partially restored. In 1963, the eastern and western side of the church was excavated. Since the 1990s, for more Turkish excavations have taken place at the church. Inside, there are Byzantine frescoes and architectural sculpture and Roman sarcophagi, which were used as spoils again. Outside the church stands a modern statue of St. Nicholas.
Other sights include the Roman Theatre and the Lycian rock tombs.
The old harbor of Myra (Andriake), 5 miles south west of Demre (now called the Bay of Cyagzi) is now silted up. The Apostle Paul, moved here in 59 AD on his way to Rome the ship. Interesting is the old Granarium, a granary, could be stored in up to 6,000 cubic meters of grain.
The city of Myra, now Demre, is reached by the national road D400 towards Fethiye, about 25 km from Finike. From Kemer Cirali from the city is well accessible by car. Side from it advisable to do this walk with our own travel company or with a local provider.
St. Nicholas Church and the theater are open to good for respiratory sufferers. To the church leads down a shallow ramp and the ranks of the theater can be reached via a stone tombs below the beginning, wide wooden staircase.
A wonderful addition to this excursion is a boat trip to the Bay of Kekova with a visit to the village Kaleköy.