Kaş

Kas was one of the most important cities of Lycia, and is now a small resort with great historical interest. Its quaint town centre has a rocky waterfront, with good beaches nearby. There are watersports available in the area, like canoeing, jet-skiing, diving and paragliding, plus cavern diving, which uses technical equipment to explore the deep and dark caverns. For those who love travelling on the water, the Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voyage) tours, and other excursions on boats, can be made to the surrounding islands.

The most important historical remains of the ancient city are the carved rock tombs to the north and the sarcophagi scattered all around the city. The most impressive sarcophagus , called Kral Mezari ( King’s Tomb) by the locals, is located on the street called Uzuncarsi Caddesi.It dates from the 4th century B.C and is carved from a single block with eight lines of script in the Lycian language.The inscription has not been deciphered to date.The lid of the sarcophagus contains four lion heads, two on each side.

One of the important ruins in ancient Antiphellos is the Kas Amphitheater dating from the 1st century B.C. It was repaired in the 2nd century A.D and seats 4000 people on 26 levels. Its most important feature is that it is the only Anatolian amphitheatre facing the sea.

Northeast of the amphitheatre is Akdam, a 4th century BC household grave in Doric style. It is 3.5 meters high, carved into a naturel bolder.There is acarving of 24 girls holding hands and dancing inside the grave.
On Hastane Caddesi ( Hospital Street ) is a temple made of uniformly hewn stones. The stones in the foundation are from the Roman period.

Kas was originally called Habesos or Habesa in the ancient tongue of Lycia and later was given the name Antiphellos. Kas was founded on the ancient town of Antiphellos and the Lycian style sarcophagus at the beginning of the avenue running down to the port is almost the symbol of this lovely town near Antalya in the Mediterranean region south of Turkey.

Antiphellos, which once was a member of the Lycian League, is known to have gained reputation and importance as a port town during the Hellenistic period, sustaining its significance as one of the leading towns during the Roman period as well.

Today's Kas is a coastal town of the Lycians. "Phellos" is the Greek word for "stony place" and this name is very well suited to Kas. Its well preserved rock tombs and theater are well worth seeing.

Kas today is a small and charming coastal resort where many sailing boats anchor in its small marina