Rock-cut tombs in Myra, an ancient town in Lycia, Turkey

The ancient town of Myra in Lycia, Turkey is famous for the great ruins travelers can discover there. The most spectacular of all attractions are the rock-cut tombs of the ancient Lycian necropolis with two burial sites, the river necropolis and ocean necropolis bearing eclectic frontages reminiscent of classical temples.

Myra is the major city of the Lycian Union which surpassed Xanthos in early Byzantine times to emerge later on as the capital city of Lycia, Turkey. The origin of Myra’s name is uncertain and was believed to be a modified version of a Lycian name like Tlos and Patara. Because of a devastating plague that swept through Anatolia, Myra lost roughly one-third of its population along with Muslim raids, flooding, and earthquakes. Myra was mostly abandoned by the 11th century and what remains is splendid – a large theater with the amazing backdrop of Myra’s popular rock-cut tombs.