The fishing town of Dalyan is located in southwest Turkey between Marmaris and Fethiye. Dalyan has escaped large resort tourism because much of it is a natural and historical protected area. Dalyan is surrounded by pine-clad mountains. The setting of the town on the river channel between the vast Koycegiz Lake and the Mediterranean Sea is very pleasant.
Across the river you will notice the row of tremendous rock-cut tombs carved in the cliff face. These are from the necropolis of the ancient city of Caunos. A short boat trip across the river and a walk of about 15 minutes bring you to the ruins, which are well worth exploring.
The existence of the ruins of Caunos was first discovered in the year 1842, and excavations have been carried on there by the Turkish archaeologists under the supervision of Prof. Baki Ogun since 1967. Caunos, the son of Miletus, was thought to be the founder of the city and therefore, it had been named Caunos. The city was subdued by the Persians, and also Alexander the Great. In the year 189 B.C. it was made subject to the Kingdom of Rhodes. In 167 B.C. Caunos was the subject to the kingdom of Pergamon and was brought directly under the sovereignty of Rome after the fall of this kingdom. The northern part of the city wall, which surrounds the acropolis, belongs to the period of Mausolus. The northwestern part has Hellenistic traits. From the harbor you can see city walls of the Cyclopean type belonging to the archaic period. The theater belonging to the Roman era is located under the acropolis and its southern part is carved into the rock. The other parts are shaped into seats supported by gable roof vaults. There are 33 rows of seats, the skene has collapsed and the part of the orchestra has been filled in.
A temple, revealed by the recent excavations, is located at far west of the theater, and a church and the magnificent walls of the Roman Bath are visible beyond it. Another temple belonging to the Roman Period is located behind the bath. As we go downwards, we see the remains of a wall built in the shape of three-fourths of a circle with a row of columns on it and, behind it, a temple of the Doric order.
Suluklu Gol (Lake of Leeches) in Caunos today, was formerly a harbor closed by means of chains during the antique period. The excavations performed at the north of this harbor have revealed a stoa, which used to form a part of the port agora. The fountain near the stoa has been restored recently, and the inscription that is seen on its side facing the harbor, contains the written decrees concerning the customs house.
Dalyan boasts the beautiful long and sandy Iztuzu beach, which is the breeding ground of the famous "Caretta Caretta" or Loggerhead Turtle. The female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs between May and September. There are also plenty of tortoises on land and river turtles. Access to the beach is by "water boat" an idyllic 30 minute journey past the spectacular 4th century Rock Tombs, or a 20 min. bus ride to the other end of the beach.
The best day-trip in Dalyan is the river cruise with a visit to the mud baths and thermal waters on Koycegiz Lake, the ancient city of Kaunos, which may be occupied by herds of goats, and finally the beach. Nightlife is subdued in Dalyan and shops offer artistic and original souvenirs.
