Kekova
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kekova, also named Caravola (Lycian: Dolichiste), is a small Turkish island near Kaş (ancient Antiphellos) district of Antalya province which faces the villages of Kaleköy (ancient Simena) and Üçağız (ancient Teimioussa). Kekova has an area of 4.5 km² and is uninhabited.
After the Italian occupation of Kastelorizo, Kekova—which at that time was temporarily inhabited during summer because of wood harvest—was disputed between Italy and Turkey. The 1932 Convention between Italy and Turkey assigned it to Turkey.
On its northern side there are the ruins—partly sunken—of Dolchiste/Dolikisthe, an ancient town which was destroyed by an earthquake during the second century A.D. Rebuilt and still flourishing during the Byzantine period, it was definitely abandoned because of Arab incursions. Tersane (meaning "dockyard", as its bay was the site of an ancient city Xera and dockyard, with the ruins of a Byzantine church) is at the nortwest of the island.
The Kekova region was declared a specially protected area in 18.01.1990 by Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forest. All kinds of diving activities (scuba and skin diving) and also swimming is prohibited and subject to special permits from governmental offices. Anyway, in the last years the prohibition had taken up except for the part where the sunken city is.
The Kekova area is 260 km² and and describes the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Üçağız and the four ancient towns of Simena, Aperlae, Dolchiste and Teimioussa.
Kaleköy or (locally named as "Kale") (ancient Simena), is a popular Lycian site, situated upon one of the most attractive spots of the Turkish coast.It is a small willage which ruins(partly sunken) of Aperlae and a castle. There are pansions and fish restaurants which serve daily fish and mediterranien style Turkish Cousine plates. Access to willage is possible only by sea (by yacht and by motorboats from Kaş).It is an enjoyable place to visit for its great beauty and charm. Üçağız(ancient name, Teimioussa), is at the one km of Kaleköy. It is take place at the nort of a small bay(with the same name) where the ruins of Teimioussa) lay down at the east of the willage.There are small hotels, restaurants and port facilities. The name of willage Üçağız means "three mouth" since there are three exits/ways to open sea.
Both Kaleköy and Üçağız are popular with Blue Cruises along Lycia's Turquoise Coast.
One of the most interesting activities of Kekova is canoeing and skin diving. With a canoe you can visit places where no water vehicle can get near. Skin diving is great for watching the tremendous views of the underwater city ruins of the Kekova island.
