Historical discovery

To describe all the historical beauties of the area is almost impossible. Here are some samples;

The Planet-God, the means of 25th December and Noel as well

We know that Father Noel visited Palestine. He presumably went to Babylonia in this trip, for talking to the head priest of Mithra temple. He listened the stories about Planet-God, its influences on changing the turning direction of the world, the calamities on earth upon it's effect and other legends.

This space events were effected the Father Noel deeply and examined the relation between the 25th of December and Mithra (Perseus) Planet-God. Astronomer-priest in Babylon, declared that the planet-god in its long and long orbit, and within the centuries were passing close to our earth on unchanged dates by definite intervals. This had been precisely discovered by the astronomer-priests of Sumer and the next passing would be on 25th December again and this would never be changed. The priest also declared why the people who worshipping to this planet as a god, accepted the 25th of December as the birthday of Mithra and why it was not the birthday of Jesus Christ but it was the passing date.

Astronomer-priest told him why this planet-god received bad, terrible and scaring names and the people living in Anatolia and Middle East given the name of “EL” to this huge planet like the all other big gods.

After a while, finishing his studies and transmitting his declaration on customizating to the people the secret Mithra ruling , Father Noel sought a comprehensive name for easier understanding by people to this planet-god which scared the human along with many centuries. Because the name Mithra, did not express the eternal planet-god which keep regularity and continuity of universe.

In accordance with the calculations of Astronomer-priests the orbital time is 3661 solar-year of this planet and the last appearance of it was on 25th December 1649 BC. Hence we may calculate that later appearance will happen on 2012 AD. This planet-god could not be seen on living time of Nicolaus, also seeing by anybody for long years was not possible. For this reason, Nicolaus gave the name "NOEL", added the word "NO" which means negative and be scared one, as suffix to "EL" since this planet-god could not be seen. This name is a really accustomed one since NO reflects the western thoughts in similar to "EL" is reflecting the eastern approach.

Eventually the name “NOEL” is not a birthday but is the name of Planet-god and the date of 25th December is the close "PASSING DATE" to earth. After these events the entire Mithra fathers on earth came together on 25th at "NOEL DAY", and announced the Nicolaus of Myra as father of fathers "Pater" upon his sacred and divine position, by beginning to read his announces and declarations for learning the "Creation the universe" and "the aim of human".*

Artemis temple and the church of father Noel

The church in which the tomb of Father Noel be placed was a sun temple of Artemis when Father Noel was born. Artemis, is one of the goddess of old Helen mythology and a gift from Lycian civilization to this mythology; The mother of goddess Artemis is goddess Leto. Leto has two children, Apollon and Artemis. Myra was founded in the name of goddess Artemis at 6-5 centuries BC. The name and the presence of Artemis was came to life with Myra as "Protective Goddess" of it. The founders also built up a temple in the name of her. The sun head priest of this temple was his uncle when Nicolaus came to Myra in his very early ages. After death of him Nicolaus was elected as head priest.

This temple was used both sun temple and Mithra temple as well in the era of Roman emperor “Diocletianus” in the beginning of the 4th century AD. After that, this temple; in the period of Roman emperor Constantinus the Ist, who was founding father of Istanbul and working for acceptance of orthodox Christianity as official state religion, kept its function of being a temple in spite of this. To the contrary of western authors and to declarations of orthodox church, Nicolaus (Father Noel) had never joined to the consul assembled in Iznik at 325 BC. and never lived like pretenced neither bishop or archbishop nor Orthodox or Catholic.*

The secret of the stolen bones

FATHER NOEL, had been forgotten within the time. It was claimed that some sailors and tradesman secretly came to Andriake the harbor of Myra for stealing the bones of father Noel by opening his grave in the temple which was demolished then -even the foundations of the building could not be seen, through the end of 11.century at AD 1087. In spite of it was rumored that the temple was converted the church when the bones were stolen this is not true. The temple had thoroughly been demolished and the grave was under this great stone heap. To remove the stone heap undisclosed in one night and steal the bones out in such a small district was not possible. On the other hand if we would accepted that the temple had been converted to a church, there might be many priests, clerical people and other responsible person in this building. Building was placed within a quarter and many people were living around. Opening the grave and taking out the bones without perceiving the all people sounds not possible. The bones taken or stolen are belong to some other grave but not Father Noel's.

The bones claimed as Father Noel's ones, had been brought to Bari of Sicily which was an old warship center of Mitra by sailors or tradesman and buried there again in a Mitra temple which financed by these sailors or tradesman. At this era the Norman's was ruling the city commencing from 1073 AD. Although the citizens and directors of Venice which was in rivalry with Bari then have secretly learned that the bones brought to Bari were not the real ones, they constructed another Mitra temple and carried here some other bones naming them as "The bones of the uncle of Father Noel"*

*This information was taken from H.Ö.Aktosun - Father Noel World representative

The sarcophagus of Kyaenai

Kyaenai was built on top of the highest hill of the district. You can see a panorama of 360 degrees from here. The island of Kekova and other small islands around will be facing right in front of you. Through the city the gigantic tombs would attract your attention after the theater. On some of them, lion heads can be seen. There is no solid information about the history of Kyaenai. Between the thickets of the slope encircling the acropolis there are many tombs in Lycian style but most of the remains belong to the Roman period. a great number of Byzantine monuments show the city was inhabited during the Byzantine period as well.

The watchtower of Sura

5 kms.from Demre, the ruins of the ancient town of Sura lie along the road to Kaş. Almost no knowledge is available on Sura's history. However from the rock tombs found on the south of the acropolis and the epitaphs written in the Lycian language, we know that Sura was inhabited at least from 4 AD. Also some ancient history scholars say that Apollo's cult was found here. In this center of oracles, the future was told by looking at certain fish.

The ruins of the temple of Apollon are today found on the west of the acropolis. East of the temple is a water spring where the priests of this temple would skewer fish, immerse them to water thus foretell the future. In Sura, away from the city walls and near the old highway is a watch tower, which has been preserved to its second floor. However several scientisits claim that this used to be a tomb of someone famous.

Simena (Kalekoy) is not only a place to be visited for its restaurants along the port and its pensions, it is a holiday resort where you can stay for a long time and live in harmony with nature and history. This very popular Lycian site is situated upon one of the most attractive spots of the Turkish coast. The houses in Simena built of stones piled one on another integrate finely with the surroundings. Here in Simena, you can not come across any awkward building in clash with the environment.

In ancient times Simena was a small fishing village, later was a Crusaders' outpost of the Knights of St. John and now the sleepy fishing village of Kale. The ancient city of Simena was once of two parts - an island and a coastal part of the mainland. On the mainland the charming village of Kale ("castle") stands today, its buildings mingling with ancient and medieval structures. At the top of the village sits well-preserved crusaders' castle built partially upon ancient Lycian foundations. Inside the castle is the smallest amphitheater of Lycia.

At the eastern end of the village is a cluster of some very nice sarcophagi overlooking the sea and surrounded by ancient olive trees. Near the harbor of Kale is another sarcophagus, popping up from the water.

Still today, the remains of the Byzantine settlement can be seen complete with staircases, an ancient marina, foundations, and waterways below and along the shoreline. A walk up to the Castle reveals one of the finest views in the Mediterranean. Kaleköy(Simena) is one of the villages of Demre.

Myra in general

It is understood from the ancient city walls that the true ancient city which is right next to theater, was built on a step hill. As a member of Lycian league the city played an important role in coin minting. The oldest coins of Myra dated to 3rd century BC. On these coins, images of Artemis and local goddesses are visible. The ruins are situated alongside the Demrya stream. As lycian town, Myra was a prominent city with 3 votes. It is known that Lycia existed as far back as the 14th century BC. You may climb to the acropolis through a footpath from Northwest of theater. The outer walls of the acropolis are thought to date from the Byzantines while the inner-city walls are Lycian. Most of the rest of the remaining of Myra stay buried underground and expect to excavate.

The theater

In the year of 61 AD., the apostle St Paul stopped here on his way to Rome during the spread of Christianity. The town emerged thus as an important clerical center in early Christianity. During the 2nd.century Myra became a center of the diocese and its theater was built in this period by Licinus Lanfus of Oinoanda.

As you enter the ruins you will first see the Myra theater. It is in a good situation. Has 35 rows in all. It was damaged by an earthquake in 141 AD. but it repaired and renovated with the help of a rich merchant from Rhadiopolis, named Opramoas. The scene of the theater was colonnaded and adorned with statuary.

Lycian rock tombs

The distinctive lycian rock tombs of Myra can be seen from highway with facades almost like that of a multi-storied apartment building, pierced with innumerable windows. These monumental works of art are part of the ruins of ancient Myra. Tombs cover the southern cliffs below the acropolis like a sheet of lace. The necropolis near the river the one west of the ruins or if you turn to your right hand side, has more graves. Although the date of Myra's first foundation is not known, from some Lycian inscriptions found it would appear that habitation existed in the 5th century BC. Strabo counts it among the six notable cities of Lycia. Myra had 3 votes in Lycian league.

Kekova island, after which the entire region is named so, is across Kalekoy (Simena)The sunken city, on the side of the island facing Kalekoy is a real wonder of world to be seen with its visible remains of buildings and avenue under the water. The view surely will impress you

The island is full of ancient remains in everywhere but no excavations. It is recommended to visit and swim in the Karaloz (Pirates anchorage) bay and Blue cave on the south shore of the Island.

The name "Kekova" is Turkish for "plain of thyme" and describes the area of and around the ancient Lycian sunken city of Simena. A charming mix of ancient, medieval and modern history makes Kekova-Simena interesting as well as beautiful.

Across the bay, along the island are the half-submerged ruins of the residential part of Simena, caused by the downward shift of land by the terrible earthquake of the 2nd century AD. Half of the houses are submerged and staircases descend into the water. Foundations of buildings and the ancient harbor are also seen below the sea.