DALYAN (FISH WEIR) AND CAUNUS  

The modern town Dalyan is located on the east bank of the Dalyan Cayi (River) and the ancient Carian city of Caunus lies on the western bank. The Dalyan Cayi is the stream that meanders down to the sea from Koycegiz Lake a short distance inland. The beach has been made a protected area as the breeding-ground of Caretta Caretta, the loggerhead turtle.

History of Caunus

The references about the past of Caunus has always been negative. According to Herodotus, people of Caunus were the natives of Caria and resisted to the Persians during their conquest of Caria in the 6C BC. Later it was sold to Rhodes by Egyptian generals in the 2C BC. In the 1C BC, they allied with Mithridates VI in Pontic king’s wars and eventually lost. Malaria was endemic and many people contracted it. Silting of the harbor was another major problem in the history of the city. As a result, Caunus had a bad reputation. 

The Site

Hellenistic fortification remains with a tower and a gateway on the acropolis hill, rock-cut Lycian tombs, a Hellenistic stoa, a fountain house, a palaestra, a theater, a Byzantine church and the terrace temple are among the ruins of the ancient city of Caunus.