Kaunos is an ancient city in the bay of the Dalyan River thirty kilometres from Marmaris. The creation of the ancient city is attributed to the 10th century BC. Legends say that the city of Kaunos was built on the Lycian-Karya border. The city is still undergoing archaeological excavations under the direction of the eminent archaeologist and professor Cengiz Ishyk. Kaunos has a centuries-old history - during its existence, the city was besieged by the troops of Alexander the Great and the soldiers of ancient Rome.
As a result of research at the site of the ancient city, objects have been discovered, from the Ancient, Medieval, Byzantine and Roman periods. The city, which was one of the main harbours during the ancient period, is now is now distant from the sea coast due to the formation of the Dalyan delta. Strabo, one of the main geographers and historians of antiquity, said: "Kaunos is located on the shore, and Kalbis flows nearby". He also notes that the city had shipyards and a harbour which was closed to the public.
Considering the geographical location of Kaunos, it can be concluded that it is is located opposite Rhodes on the southern coast of Karia. On the northern side of the city is surrounded by the Menderes Mountains, and on its western side, facing the sea, by Lycian rock tombs. It is separated by valleys from the rest of Caria, and its frontal part faces towards Lycia, located on the southern and eastern parts.
The ancient city is located 152 metres above sea level, and the acropolis Acropolis is located in the south-west of the city. A small tower on a peninsula, about fifty meters high, was erected in the form of a tongue stretching between two hills towards the sea. During the ancient and early classical era, the walls of the of the city, built on the back side of Kaunos, the Little Tower and the Acropolis, and the as well as the inner city walls, formed a kind of defence shield for the city. As the entire area has not yet been excavated, the exact layout of the ancient city is still unclear. What is known is that it was extended in terraces during the period of Hecatomnidler. The previous terraces were restored, and in subsequent periods new and larger ones were built.
The name of the city is mentioned as early as the third millennium BC. Kaunos endured the presence on its territory of a large number of peoples: Ionians, Carians, Persians, Lycians, Romans, Byzantines and Greeks. The Bailiwick of Menteche extended its rule here in 1291, and in 1392 these lands were annexed to the Ottoman state by Sultan Bayezid. One of the symbols of Kaunos are rock burials dating back to the fourth century BC. These tombs, clearly visible from Dalyan, were also used during Roman times. In Lycian-type graves, a bed consisting of three stones was often installed. The deceased was laid on this bed, and the façade of the grave was decorated with a pediment and two Ionian columns. However, not all tombs can be approached, for the bravest there is a rope ladder. The remains of the people buried here have long since decayed. The eternal memory of long-gone civilizations is guarded by two lion heads, which look at each other from the surface of the Carian tombs.
Kaunos was an important trading and harbour city. Over time, the bay, as a result of silt deposits, lost its significance and became shallow. According to Herodotus, the inhabitants of Kaunos described themselves as natives of Girit. The city was founded by the son Myletos Kaunos, who was banished from his parents' home because of a forbidden affair with his sister.
The pier is a ten-minute walk from the town. People arriving by boat leave their ships near Delikely Island and come up the canal in dinghies to the pier. The city port was located in the area of Lake Sülüklü at the foot of the of the acropolis. The sea in those years was at the level of the acropolis itself. When the whole of Anatolia was under Persian influence, at the time of the Persian invasion, Kaunos fell under the rule of Mausolus. After Alexander the Great defeated the Persians, the city began to be ruled by Princess Ada, then Antigonus, and then Ptolemaeus. The city was part of the Kingdoms of Rhodes and Bergamo in turn. The city was part of Rhodesian and Bergamian kingdoms in turn.
Fragments of the walls on the northern side are medieval medieval buildings. The longest wall starts from the northern side of the harbour and extends to the cliffs near the village of Dalyan. The northern part of the wall was built during the the reign of Mausolus. The buildings on the north-west side were erected during the Hellenic period. Hellenic period, and those immediately around the harbour, belong to even earlier eras.
At the foot of the acropolis is the theatre. Its parterre has thirty-three rows of seats. One of the buildings to the west of the theatre is a church like a basilica-like church. The other ruins belonged to a temple and a bathhouse. At the back of the structure, which has the outline of an unenclosed circle and is adorned with smooth columns, a podium standing on three steps can be seen. Historians suggest that these are also the ruins of some temple. What the round foundation was used for of the round foundation is unknown.
During excavations in the area of the old harbour in the northern part, a gallery of honours was found. Many pedestals are found in its vicinity, however the statues themselves could not be found. A spring found near the gallery has now been restored.
