Pinara

Pinara is a very strange and beautiful site in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Getting here can be a little tricky but it's worth it; the views to the East across the valley are breath taking and there's a tranquility and atmosphere to the place that's hard to pin down.

Pinara was settled around 5th century BC in the Xanthos valley. It was one of the important cities of the Lycian Federation and had a vote in the League. During the Byzantine period it became a bishop's center, but then abandoned in the 9th century AD after loosing its importance.

Probably Pinara is the least visited site in the Lycian region. The site is dominated by a vast, east facing cliff (worth getting there in the morning if you can) which is pockmarked with rectangular holes, probably burial chambers although alternate explanations have been offered at various times.

Entrance to the site is via an off-road and after passing the guard booth you can walk up around the base of the lower acropolis. The theater is on your right and makes a great spot to sit and take in the view that the ruins present.

You can spend a couple of hours wandering around the lower acropolis site and looking at stuff. It helps if you've brought some supplies with you as there's nowhere to buy anything once you get here. Leaving the lower acropolis at it's southern edge and following the little path down to the stream bed will take you past some good tombs and bring you back to the access road.

Pinara is accessible from the Fethiye - Kas road, about 17 kilometers (10,5 miles) northwest of Xanthos.