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Letoön, the Lycian
centre for the worship of Leto, was an important sanctuary in ancient times.
First excavated in 1962, the remains of three 3rd century BC
temples, dedicated to Leto, Aretmis and Apollo, bear testimony to its
significance.
Leto was a nymph who was loved by Zeus, and was jealously
hounded by his wife Hera as a consequence. Wolves guided the pregnant Leto
to the River Xanthos, where she bathed and renamed the place Lycia (from the
Greek for wolf, lykos) before giving birth to Aretmis
and Apollo.
Alexander the Great came here and received encouragement
for his imminent battle against the Persians. There is also a Hellenistic
theatre and an inscription found here was instrumental in the eventual
deciphering of the Lycian language.
Letoön is 26km west of Kalkan, off
the N-400 to Fethiye. The turn-off is 1.5km west of Kinik, the site is about
4km from the main road. |
