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Take the main road from Söke to Milas until you reach
Lake Bafa. Turn left and continue for a few kilometers until you come to
a modern village 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 walks, up to 3 meters
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 began to
develop its importance as a center for agriculture and seabased trade as
well as a fortress town defending the northern 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 horseshoe 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
Amphitheater and Nymphaeum, the roman Baths and the nearby Gymnasium.
Mount Latmus retained its reputation as a holly 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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FETHIYE
BODRUM
MARMARIS
ANTALYA