Xanthos & Letoon

Xanthos and Letoon are among the most important archaeological sites of ancient Lycia, offering visitors a remarkable journey through the political, religious and cultural history of the region. Located in the wider Fethiye area, the two sites are closely connected and together represent the heart of ancient Lycian civilisation. Xanthos Ancient City was once the capital of Lycia and played a major role in the region’s political and cultural life. Built on a hill overlooking the Xanthos Valley, the city preserves remains from the Lycian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. Visitors can explore ancient tombs, monumental pillars, city walls, a theatre and the remains of public buildings spread across the archaeological site. Xanthos is especially known for its distinctive Lycian funerary monuments, which demonstrate the unique architectural traditions of the region. The city also has a dramatic history. Ancient sources describe several occasions when the inhabitants of Xanthos chose resistance rather than surrender during foreign invasions, giving the city an important place in the historical identity of Lycia. A short distance away lies the Letoon Sanctuary, the principal religious centre of the Lycian world. The sanctuary was dedicated mainly to the goddess Leto and her children, Apollo and Artemis, and served as an important place for religious ceremonies and gatherings. The site contains the remains of three temples dedicated to Leto, Apollo and Artemis, as well as a theatre, sacred areas and other structures. One of the most important archaeological discoveries from Letoon is the Trilingual Inscription, written in Lycian, Greek and Aramaic, which played an important role in understanding the ancient Lycian language. Xanthos and Letoon were inscribed together on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 because of their exceptional importance to the history and culture of ancient Lycia. Together, Xanthos Ancient City and Letoon Sanctuary offer visitors an opportunity to explore both the political centre and the sacred heart of the Lycian world. Their monuments, inscriptions and surrounding landscapes make them essential stops for understanding the ancient heritage of southwestern Türkiye.