Tombs of Kaunos, Turkey

The impressive ruins of ancient Kaunos are a major highlight on our cruises in Caria, as well as on many of our private gulet charters in Turkey. Guests booked on our Lycian cruises also often visit the site as an add-on before or after they travel with us.

Turkey is, of course, very rich in fascinating and well-preserved archaeological sites standing witness to the many cultures that have thrived here over the millennia, but even among those, Kaunos is one of a kind in many regards. In spite of its great interest, the site has not yet become a household name on the list of dream destinations for aspiring cultural travellers, except for those familiar with its region.

Kaunos (some prefer the Latin spelling Caunus) is located just outside the modern resort town of Dalyan, separated from it by the river of the same name (its ancient name was Kalbys). As it is only a short distance from Dalaman airport, and within driving distance from major tourist destinations like Marmaris and Olüdeniz, one might expect large crowds to visit the extensive archaeological site – but that is not so far the case.

Kaunos was probably founded as early as the 9th or 8th century BC, most likely by local Carians. From the 5th century BC onwards, it gradually took on the characteristics of a Greek city, before becoming romanised along with all of Asia Minor. Its existence as a settlement lasted at least until the 7th century AD. Located in Anatolia, displaying strong Greek influence and set on a major international naval trade route, Kaunos had a complex history: between the 5th century BC and the Roman age, it underwent frequent changes of alignment or domination: over the centuries it belonged to the Persian Empire, the Athenian (Delian) League, Sparta, Caria, Rhodes, Ptolemaic Egypt, Macedon, Rhodes again, Pontus and eventually Rome. It can certainly be said that Kaunos was a place on the edge, set between different cultural spheres, in this respect not unlike Morgantina on Sicily.