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The ancient city of Xanthos was Capital of Lycia and the grandest of Lycian cities. Dating to the 8 Th Cent and surviving up to the 12 Th Cent, Xanthos has some excellent ruins, just thirty minutes from Kalkan.
Located here is the Tomb of Harpies, adorned with scenes from the underworld and winged females transporting souls. Later speculation was that these figures were in fact Sirens taking sailors to their watery graves. This tomb is a Sarcophagus on top of a pillar. Poetry was found inside believed to date to the 3 rd Cent.
Xanthos has a chequered history of destruction and War. Indeed when faced with superior enemies inhabitants would destroy their own city. Towards the end of a war with the Persians, the women of Xanthos killed themselves before their surrender.
This city was virtually intact until 1842 when Sir Charles Fellows and his Crew spent two months removing many of the monuments. Luckily there are still many ruins to be seen at Xanthos, including a Theatre opposite the Agora, and Lycian pillar Tombs. Amazing ruins and of great historical interest.
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