Simena

🏛️ Simena: the Lycian city between land and sea

📍 Location

• Simena, today called Kaleköy, is located on the Mediterranean coast of Lycia, in southwest Turkey.
• It is located opposite the island of Kekova, in a peaceful, accessible bay only by boat or on foot, which makes it a place out of time, preserved from mass tourism.

🧬 Origins and history

• Simena was a Lycian city probably founded in 4th century BC, mentioned by the Greek geographer Strabon.
• She prospered at the time Hellenistic and Roman, integrated into the Lycian Confederation, before declining at the end of Antiquity.
• A earthquake in the 2nd century provoked thepartial engulfment of the city, some of whose remains are today submerged under the crystal clear waters.

🪨 Archaeological remains

• Lycian rock tombs : dug into the cliff, they dominate the village and bear witness to local funerary beliefs.
• Submerged sarcophagi : visible in the shallow water, they offer a striking image of the fusion between history and nature.
• Ancient theater : small but well-preserved, built on the hillside, it offers breathtaking views of the sea.
• Medieval fortress : built at the top of the village, probably by the Genoese in the Middle Ages, it overlooks the bay and houses the remains of cisterns and ramparts.

🏘️ Village atmosphere

• Kaleköy is a fishing village, without roads or cars, with stone houses, the flowery terraces, and the family restaurants serving fresh fish.
• The atmosphere is peaceful and authentic, ideal for a contemplative getaway, between swimming, walking and discovery.
• The inhabitants live to the rhythm of the sea, the sun and the curious visitors of this discreet gem.

🌊 Nature and sea

• The waters around Simena are of exceptional clarity, perfect for the kayak, the snorkeling, or simply to float in silence.
• The bay is protected, bordered by mangroves, of limestone rocks, and of small wild coves.
• The island of Kekova, just opposite, houses the submerged ruins of Apollonia, another submerged Lycian city.

✨ Why Simena is unforgettable

It is a place where history sleeps beneath the waves, where each stone tells a legend, and where silence becomes sacred. Simena is poetic, secret and deeply Mediterranean — a stopover for sensitive souls, dreamers and sea lovers.