Letoon & Xanthos

Letoon & Xanthos are world heritage sites located in Antalya and Muğla provinces of the Mediterranean region. There are many things to know about Letoon and Xanthos, which have been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1988.

Xanthos

Xanthos is located about 46 kilometers from Fethiye. Xanthos, situated near the village of Kınık, was known as the most important administrative center of Lycia in ancient times. Xanthos came under the rule of the Persians in 545 BC. It continued to exist as an independent city until this period. About a century after that, it was completely burnt. After this fire, the town rebuilt, even M.He. II. century.it was also the capital of the Lycian League. Later the city came under the control of the Romans, after which it came under Byzantine rule and 7. century. It remained under Byzantine rule until the Arab incursions. This center, which shows the influences of Lycian traditions, Hellenistic, and Roman periods on the structures built by every settled civilization, was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988.

Located 4 km from Xanthos, Letoon was the religious center of Lycia in ancient times. In this sanctuary, along with the temples of Letoon, Apollo, and Artemis, are the remains of a monastery, a fountain, and a Roman Theatre. The largest temple, dedicated to Leto, the mother of Artemis and Apollo, is the Temple of Leto, located to the west and built in the peripteros style, at 30.25 m to 15.75 m. size. The Temple of Apollo, built in the Doric style to the east, is less preserved than the temple of Leto and is 27.90 m.to 15.07 m. it is smaller with dimensions. The Temple Of Artemis, which is located in the middle of both temples and is the lowest, is 18.20 m.to 8.70 m. they are in size.