{"id":1054,"date":"2021-03-10T18:53:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T17:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antalyatouristinformation.com\/d\/?page_id=1054"},"modified":"2021-06-16T11:13:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-16T09:13:45","slug":"letoon","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/antalyatouristinformation.com\/d\/things-to-do\/history\/letoon\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to the Ancient City of Letoon in Antalya: History and Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many ancient cities in Antalya belong to the Lycian civilization and are located between the cities of Ka\u015f and Fethiye.<\/p>\n

A very important one to visit is Letoon, the federal sanctuary of ancient Lycia<\/strong>. It’s located in the village of Kumluova which lies 4 km southwest of Xanthos<\/a>. <\/p>\n

In this article, we will go over the important things to know before visiting the ancient city of Letoon in the Antalya region.<\/p>\n

\"Letoon<\/span><\/p>\n

What Can I Do in Letoon?<\/h2>\n

The ruins and artifacts at Letoon show that the city was once one of the most important religious centers<\/strong>of Lycia<\/strong>. Letoon was the unified sanctuary of the Lycian Union near the ancient city of Xanthos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this sanctuary, there are the temples of Leto, Apollo, and Artemis, as well as the ruins of a monastery, a fountain, and a Roman theater. It houses the largest temple dedicated to Leto, mother of Artemis and Apollo, built in the peripteros style. <\/p>\n

The Legend of Leto<\/h3>\n

According to legend, Leto, after giving birth to Apollo and Artemis at Delos was fleeing from the wrath of Hera and sought refugee on the coast. She came back to wash her children in a spring in the Valley of Xanthos. The Goddess Leto takes revenge on the locals for interfering and not letting her drink from a pond, and turns them all into frogs. Thus, a sanctuary grew up around this spring. <\/p>\n

Here, the Temple of Leto was built in the name of the Goddess Leto where this event took place. The other two temples are dedicated to Artemis and Apollo. Today, only the foundations of these three temples remain.<\/p>\n

There is a fountain to the southwest of the temples and a basilica to the east.<\/p>\n

Theater<\/h3>\n

To the north of the city, there is a Stoa and a Hellenistic theater with its back partly leaning on the natural slope. The central part is cut into the rock. Only the wings were built. Two arched entrances, equipped with beautiful doors, correspond to the passage of the road which, curiously, crossed the theater. The north door is decorated with masks. The capacity of the theater is estimated to be 5,000 seats.<\/p>\n

If you have time, follow the tree-lined road to the beach. Letoon beach is a part of the 18 km long Patara beach.<\/p>\n

\"Theater<\/span><\/p>\n

Entrance, Tickets, and Tours<\/h2>\n

Letoon, Xanthos and Patara<\/a> are all ancient cities that can be visited in the same day.<\/p>\n