Fodor's Expert Review Xanthos
Start your exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Roman-style theater, where inscriptions indicate that its restoration was funded by a wealthy Lycian named Opromoas of Rhodiapolis after the great earthquake of AD 141. Alongside the theater are two much-photographed pillar tombs. The more famous of the pair is called the Harpy Monument—not after what's inside, but because of the half-bird, half-woman figures carved onto the north and south sides. This tomb has been dated to 470 BC; the reliefs are plaster casts of originals in the British Museum. The other tomb consists of a sarcophagus atop a pillar—a rather unusual arrangement. The pillar section is probably as old as the Harpy Monument, while the sarcophagus was added later.
Opposite the agora is the Inscribed Pillar of Xanthos. Dating from about 400 BC, it is etched with 250 lines (written in both Greek and Lycian) that recount the heroic deeds of a champion wrestler and celebrated soldier named Kherei.... READ MORE
Start your exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Roman-style theater, where inscriptions indicate that its restoration was funded by a wealthy Lycian named Opromoas of Rhodiapolis after the great earthquake of AD 141. Alongside the theater are two much-photographed pillar tombs. The more famous of the pair is called the Harpy Monument—not after what's inside, but because of the half-bird, half-woman figures carved onto the north and south sides. This tomb has been dated to 470 BC; the reliefs are plaster casts of originals in the British Museum. The other tomb consists of a sarcophagus atop a pillar—a rather unusual arrangement. The pillar section is probably as old as the Harpy Monument, while the sarcophagus was added later.
Opposite the agora is the Inscribed Pillar of Xanthos. Dating from about 400 BC, it is etched with 250 lines (written in both Greek and Lycian) that recount the heroic deeds of a champion wrestler and celebrated soldier named Kherei. Check out the large Byzantine basilica before following the path uphill, where you'll find several sarcophagi, a good collection of rock-cut house tombs, and a welcome spot of shade.
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