Myra Ancient City, which is located in today's Demre district center and its vicinity, was established on the plain of the same name. The city was connected to the sea with the canal to the west of the Myros River (Demre Stream).
Sea transportation and trade of the region was carried out from Andriake (Çayağzı) Port, which is located on the other side of the channel. The Ancient City of Myra is especially famous for the Lycian Period rock tombs, the Roman Period theater and the Byzantine Period Saint Nicholas Church (Santa Claus).
Rock tombs, Lycian inscriptions and coins, Myra at least BC. They show that it has survived since the 5th century. According to the information given by Strabo, Myra, one of the six largest cities of the Lycian Union, is called Myrrh in Lycian inscriptions.
BUSINESS. The 2nd century is the period when Myra witnessed a great development. In the city, which is the Metropolis of the Lycian Union, many buildings were built and repaired with the help of the Lycian rich people. In the Byzantine Period, Myra became one of the leading cities in terms of religion as well as administration. His fame that has survived until today, St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) İ.S. He owes it to being the bishop of the city in the 4th century and to the saint status after his death and to build a church in his name.
