Kaunos, Archaeological site in Dalyan, Turkey.
Kaunos is an archaeological site in Dalyan containing remains of a harbor, temples, baths, a theater seating 5000 people, and stone-carved tombs along the Dalyan River. The ruins spread across multiple sections of the ancient settlement, connected by walking paths.
The settlement was founded in the 10th century BC and developed as a maritime trade center. It was abandoned in the 15th century when malaria made living there impossible.
The structures show influences from Carian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods, visible in the buildings and religious spaces throughout the site. You can see how different cultures left their mark on the architecture as you walk around.
The ruins are reached by boat from Dalyan, with walking paths guiding visitors through different sections of the ancient settlement. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven in many areas.
The city walls from the 4th century BC contain an ancient wind measurement device that was mistaken for a building foundation for many years. This discovery reveals the sophisticated technical knowledge of the ancient inhabitants.
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