Letoon

Letoon is a peaceful sanctuary set in a green plain near Xanthos. The remains of three temples dedicated to the goddess Leto and her children, Apollo and Artemis, stand side by side. Turtles and frogs paddle around the half-flooded fountain building, while surrounding greenhouses add an unexpected modern backdrop. A UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Xanthos, this small but meaningful site is ideal for a calm, unhurried exploration.

History

According to legend, Leto took refuge here with her twins by Zeus while fleeing the wrath of Hera. Letoon was Lycia’s most important religious centre and the shared sanctuary of the Lycian League, where the region’s great festivals were held. A trilingual inscription discovered here in 1973 presents the same text in Lycian, Greek and Aramaic and greatly helped scholars understand the Lycian language. This precious stele is now displayed in the Fethiye Museum. The site remained in use in Christian times, when a church was built near the temples.

Don’t miss

1. Temple of Leto
2. Temples of Apollo and Artemis
3. The nymphaeum with its turtles
4. Hellenistic theatre and its vaulted entrance
5. Remains of the Byzantine church