Batik City, Kekova Island, Demre, Antalya, Turkey
Kekova is a small Turkish island near Demre in the Antalya province; it is uninhabited and has an area of approximately two square miles.
Assigned to Turkey in 1932 on its northern side are the sunken ruins of an ancient town called Dolchiste which was destroyed in the 2nd century by an earthquake. There are also ruins of an ancient dockyard to the northwest of the island.
In the beginning of 1990, the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forest declared the Kekova region as protected. The prohibition has now been lifted from all areas other than the sunken ruins.
The Kekova region spans over 100 square miles and includes Kekova Island and the villages Kalekoy, Ucagiz and four ancient towns, Simena, Aperlai, Dolchiste and Theimussa. 260km squared of Kekova was declared as a Specially Protected Area in 1990 and this was to protect the natural and cultural geographic richness of the island and the surrounding coast. This area is still managed by the Ministry of Environment today.
Kekova is a must see and very enjoyable place to visit because of the total beauty and tranquillity. Popular with the yachts and cruise boats, the cruising yachts will often stay here for weeks at a time. It is a place of peace and steeped in history with the additional benefit of clear blue waters, sun, nature that is unspoilt and fantastic swimming.
Epic Turkey Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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