Greek mythology names Heracleia as the home of the handsome shepherd Endymion, on whom
Zeus bestowed the gift of eternal sleep and youth.
Take the main road from Milas to Söke to until you reach Lake Bafa. Turn right and continue
for a few kilometres until you come to a village which is called Kapikiri, where you will see the remains of Heracleia.
Potsherds have been found which indicate that this site has been inhabited since the 6th century BC.
Originally called simply Latmus, the city was conquered by Mausolus, King of Caria, in the
4th century BC. He built the massive city walls, up to 3 metres thick and incorporating many defense towers, which
stretch from the shores of the lake to high on the slopes of Mount Latmus. At the same time he changed its name
to the Greek-style Heracleia, and hegan to develop its importance as a centre for agriculture and sea based trade
as well as a fortress town defending the non hem boundaries of his empire. Later, under Alexander's rule, the city's
importance began to decrease until, with the silting up of the Gulf of Latmus which effectively created the landlocked
lake Bafa, Heracleia's heyday was over.
Greek mythology names Heracleia as the home of the handsome shepherd Endymion, on whom Zeus
bestowed the gift of eternal sleep and youth. The moon goddess, Selena, fell in love with him as he slept and is
said to have borne his fifty daughters. It is still possible to see the Sanctuary of Endymion on the southern side
of the city, a horse shoe shaped chamber with an entrance hall and pillared forecourt.
Mausolus developed the city in the grid pattern so beloved by the Greeks, on whom he modeled
his kingdom. Many of the narrow streets and stone stairs of the old city still remain, as well as evidence of terrace
walls, houses and tombs carved from living rock. Many of these are now under water, owing to the raised level of
the lake. In the market place, which was originally surrounded by colonnades, can be seen the rows of shops, their
doors and windows still clearly defined. On a towering outcrop of rock high above the market place is the temple
of Athena, built at the end of the 3rd century BC, much of which is still standing to full height.
Also to be seen are the Amphitheatre and Nymphaeum, the roman Baths and the nearby Gymnasium.
Mount Latmus retained its reputation as a holy mountain at least until the Middle Ages. The remains of the simple
dwellings used by monks and hermits can still be seen on the remote hillsides among the rocks, while a Byzantine
castle dominates one end of the city wall on the site of Heracleia's lake fortress.
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In ancient times - open sea, today a lake, the Bafa Gölü
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not far from Bafa lake, Euromos, another hidden gem
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