Cadianda - yesiluzumlu - (Pt 2 Lycian ruins)

In my last post I gave details of the periods of habitation from the 5th century BC through the Hellenistic and Roman periods to the 7th century AD.  

So once you have driven or walked to the summit of the pine forested hill you reach the ancient settlement of Cadianda. 

A little mist on the way up, but fantastic pine forest near the summit and a very drivable track that has been improved vastly during recent years

Once on the site, most of the well marked route is easily followed although there is a little scrambling over a few walls along the way.

Cadianda Necropolis is dotted around the hill side close to the city walls, some of the burial chambers are now open chambers while some are still partially closed.

the amount of structures that still lie beneath the ground and out of sight is unknown however this part of the Necropolis shows some chambers partially buried .... if you pardon the pun. 

As you walk past the necropolis and gain more height on the mountain side you will pass some parts of the lower city walls.

walking further on you will next come to the Heroon (a shrine dedicated to a past hero or person of importance).     

                     

The platform is still in very good condition but debris of plinths, pillars and some incredible sculptured stonework lie abandoned and in disarray

Parts of the upper city walls

and the view towards the Taurus Mountains

Next on the trail is the Agora (a meeting place)

and then the Hamam (Communal baths)

The for me one of the best structures on site is the Stadium. 

It doesn't take much imagination to see the running or throwing area (although the tree dead center would probably irritate any competitors), while on one side the incredibly preserved stadium seats and probably a competitors bath or changing area at the end.

the Temple remains can just about be seen behind the stadium seating in the forest

the magnificent Theatre 

I presume this part of the city has taken a battering over the centuries and has probably been rebuilt in places , however most of the damage lays unattended and in a state of ruin which adds a certain charm when he come across this place as he start to leave the upper city walls.

I have taken many images of this brilliant structure over the years and here are a handful of images in no particular order.

so who invented the Recaro seat.....

on the way back down some of the City walls are spectacular with incredible masonry work apparently designed and shaped to allow the structure to stand the test of time without any form of cement

just lying around the place

So which way back to the village of Uzumlu?

for the bird watching readers of my blog this is a guaranteed spot for Krupers Nuthatch

This fabulous place is only a few kilometers from my house in the village, how incredibly lucky am I