Rhodiapolis / Rhodia (Saricasu-Kumluca)
Updated: Jan 23
Discovering Rhodiapolis: Ancient Echoes in the Heart of Kumluca:
Embark on a historical journey through the ancient city of Rhodiapolis, a testament to the enduring spirit of civilizations past.
Introduction:
Perched 2.5 kilometers north of the Antalya Province in Kumluca District, Rhodiapolis is a treasure trove of history and heritage. With its roots tracing back to the 8th century BC, this Eastern Lycian city offers tales of time that whisper through its stones.
Origins and Significance:
1. A Name that Speaks Volumes: Often believed to mean “the city of the Rhodesians”, Rhodiapolis stands as a beacon of history in the heart of Turkey's Antalya province.
2. Geological Importance: Strategically positioned on the Mesozoic Alakırçay Formation units, this city overlooks the vast and fertile plains of Kumluca Finike. However, its beauty belies the seismic dangers lurking beneath. As a part of Turkey’s high seismic activity zone, the region has borne the brunt of many historic earthquakes.
Architectural Marvels and Scars of Time:
1. Theatre Remnants: Amidst the city lies the ruins of a theatre, its majestic form resisting the ravages of time, standing as a testament to the city’s rich cultural legacy.
2. Opramoas’ Grave Monument: Adjacent to the theatre is the grave monument of Opramoas, a generous benefactor thought to have financially supported the city's construction. While time has crumbled its walls, its legacy is not forgotten.
3. Agora, Stadium, and Hellenistic Tower: Southeast of the theatre, one can find traces of an Agora and remnants of a stadium. Not far off stands a Hellenistic tower, bearing silent witness to the city's bygone era.
4. Ravages of Time: Earthquakes have left their mark on Rhodiapolis. Collapsed walls, cracked buildings, and fallen columns narrate tales of nature's fury. The discovery of human skeletons under the rubble paints a poignant picture of a city that once was.
Conclusion:
Despite the onslaught of treasure hunters and nature's fury, Rhodiapolis stands resilient, its spirit undimmed. As archaeological endeavors spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture since 2006 continue, the city promises more tales waiting to be unearthed.
