Lyrbe (Seleukeia) Antik Kenti

About Lyrbe (Seleukeia) Antik Kenti

This mountain city in Manavgat district has long been known as Seleukeia, a name proposed on the basis of the Stadiasmus Maris Magni, an ancient sailors' handbook. The Culture Portal of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism explains that, based on a sanctuary mentioned in an inscription written in the Sidetic language, the site is now thought to be the old Pamphylian city of Lyrbe, while Seleukeia is placed at another spot reachable by the Manavgat river. Deep ravines surround the city on three sides, and it is the walls on the south side that have survived in good condition. A monumental gate flanked by two towers stands in the middle of these walls and gave entry to the city from the south; the walls run east and west from it to the cliff edge and are built of cut sandstone blocks. In the centre is the agora. Its western side rests against the slope and two-storey buildings line its eastern edge. A tetrapylon, a four-footed gateway probably added later, stands in the agora, and the buildings to the west are known as Gallery I and II. The north wing held important buildings, and the Seven Sages mosaic is now displayed in the Antalya Museum. Southwest of the city are a three-part bath complex and a two-storey church, and the necropolis lies to the southeast and southwest. The Culture Portal notes that, although it was a mountain settlement, the remains show Lyrbe was a well-developed city, especially in the Roman period. To get there, the Culture Portal advises taking the road that turns left before Manavgat town centre when coming from Side, passing the Manavgat waterfall after about 4 km and continuing towards the dams to Bucakşeyhler village.