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Turkey, Dalyan, Cliffside Tombs of Ancient city of Kaunos
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Today, these elaborate graves form part of the UNESCO-recognised Ancient City of Kaunos, a 2,500-year-old archaeological site also home to a 5,000-seat Hellenistic theatre, a rock-cut Roman bath, and several Lycian temples and churches.
Dating back to the 4th century BC, the “Lycian King Tombs of Kaunos” feature Greek-style pillars and intricate hand-carved reliefs depicting gods, angels and spirits. Inside, ancient monoliths and limestone-lined chambers mark the final resting place of the Lycian elite.
The remarkable structures pictured above are in fact only a small proportion of the 170 or more rock-cut graves of various shapes, making up the Kaunian necropolis. These temple tombs, clustered in two main groups, are the most elaborate graves of the city.
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