Kaunos Kral Mezarları

Caunos Tombs of the Kings

Useful Information

Location: Kaunos, Ortaca.
Classification: SubterraneaCave Tomb
Light: n/a
Guided tours:
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Address: Kaunos Kral Mezarları, Çandır, Köyceğiz Muğla TR, 48840 Ortaca,


4th cty BC tombs built.


Lycian Tombs at Kaunos, Tombs of the Kings. Public Domain.

The lykian city Kaunos was a commercially important port city during Antiquity. Geographer Strabon wrote that Kaunos has a shipyard and a port that could be closed. The city was founded by Kaunos, the son of Miletos, after he was exiled because he had an improper relationship with his twin sister.

They are called Tombs of the Kings, but also lycian tombs of Caunos or lycian tombs of Dalyan becaus they can also be seen from Dalyan. The rock tombs were built during the 4th century BC. They were later, during the Roman Period, still used. Each lykian tomb contains three stone beds on which the dead were laid. There are two Ionic columns on the facade and frieze and pediment above the columns. One of the pediments has lion reliefs.