Ancient City of Phellos
Today, the Ancient City of Phellos is located on the top of Mount Felen at an altitude of about 950 meters, overlooking the Village area of Çukurbağ in the northeast of Kas. Phellos (far from the coast) which means "stony country" and the port of the city Antiphellos (Kas by the sea) are the rare Lycian cities with an ancient Greek name (from Lukka, which means "bright" in Latin).
The Lycian people, the first known democratic union in history, and its constitution are the only ones in the ancient world. 2020 has been declared the year of Patara to draw attention to the fact that it is one of the old assemblies in Patara, the capital of Lycia, Turkey.
Phellos, which is thought to have been founded for military purposes on a hillside that dominates the surrounding mountainous region, was first mentioned in documents in the 6th century BC and became a very important city in the 19th century BC. The city of Phellos is surrounded by walls, but not many remains have survived except for a few rock tombs and sarcophaguses within the wall. Phellos is a great stop on the Lycian walkway, the historic city where agricultural production is mainly traded in wine vineyards and cedar trees.
Phellos overlooks the port city of Antiphellos from above with its height and location. Phellos, with its existing ruins, looks more like a defense city than a large settlement. The Phellos Acropolis has a home-style rock tomb, one of the most original examples of Lycia's wooden house architecture reflected in the rock burial ground. Among the many sarcophagi here is a depiction of the gravedigger lying on the cedile holding a glass in the side embossed sarcophagus dated 385-350 B.C. Two figures standing on either side of the dead and bird figures are seen under the cedir. The other side of the sarcop can't be seen. On one of the short sides of the sarcopter is the warrior figure and the other is the relief of warriors extending helmets to the grave owner.
Phellos and Antiphellos were significantly damaged by the earthquake in 200 A.D. during the Roman period. In the hellenistic period, almost all the buildings of the parliament, agora and theatre were destroyed in the port built by phellos' elders in Antiphellos. Although Phellos tried to get back on his feet with donations, he began to lose his importance in history with the importance of Antiphellos (Eyebrow).
Phellos was one of the important diocese centers in the region with Antiphellos until the 7th century during the Byzantine period. The city, which began to be abandoned with the importance of the port city of Antiphellos, was subsequently abandoned due to its geographical location.
Phellos is one of six settlements identified in the area in 1840 during expeditions by British archaeologists to find historical artefacts for public display by the United Kingdom (especially the British Museum).
Where and how to get to Phellos Ancient City?
To come here, antalya-kas road is reached by a path of about 800 meters from the Central well location of Kas Çukurbağ village about 2 km inside after leaving the Agullu-Çukurbağ junction. The historical Ancient City of Phellos, which is intertwined with nature built from a very high point in Kas in today's Çukurbağ Neighborhood, is 10 kilometers from the center of Kas. The view from Phellos to Çukurbağ, Kas (Antiphellos) and Meis island will be very deserving of that walk.
Over the ruins of Phellos, you can reach Kas by looking at the village area, water cisterns and gedefe (sleeping giant) especially with sunset views.
From phellos, the Lycian city of the land of lights, we wish you all...
