IZTUZU BEACH
Twelve
km from the centre of Dalyan lies the five km long sandbar
that juts out from the main land into the Mediterranean.
This site was earmarked for development until it was brought
to the authorities attention that it was one of the last
nesting grounds for the endangered Loggerhead Turtle.
A campaign with David Bellamy and a local woman Kaptan
June (Haimhoff) were successful in stopping the development
of Iztuzu Beach. Visiting times to the beach are restricted
from May - September when the Turtles are nesting. From
08.00-18.00 are the open times so as not to interfere
with the nesting habits of these Turtles. Sunbeds and
shade are available at the beach for a small charge also
cold drinks and snacks are served throughout the day.
You can reach Iztuzu by Boat or Dolmus, the boat winds
its way down the channel, through the rustling reeds to
the open tip of the beach. The Dolmus travels lakeside
through beautiful winding roads down to the Beach, this
takes around 20 minutes, the boat will take approximately
40 minutes. Both ways are worth seeing ,each for a small
charge
MUD BATHS
The
Mud baths are also said to remedy rheumatism as well as
cleanse and beautify the skin.Popular belief states that
a mud bath will take ten years off you. Once you have
covered yourself in the mud you then wait for it to dry
in the sun. The sulphur pool in which you clean yourself
after your Mudbath is also at a temperature of 40 degrees.
CAUNOS
The
ancient city of Caunos stands midway along the channel.
It grew into a major area on the border between Lycia
and Caria, the people were said to be famous for their
yellowish skin and eyes. Caunos was said to be the son
of Miletus and the Grandson of Apollo, he is believed
to have fled from the city due to unnatural feelings between
himself and his sister. The city sprawls over a broad
slope overlooking the sea and delta. At Caunos there is
an Acropolis surrounded by the city walls that are Byzantine,
a theatre, four temples, an Angora, Roman Baths, Palestra
and a Cistern. The demise of the city was due to the harbour
that continually silted up which is now 5 km from the
sea and marshland, and also disease due to malaria. Rhodes
purchased Caunos in the 2nd century, after many wars it
went back to Carian rule only to be given back to Rhodes
in 88BC. Caunos has a long and varied history and is well
worth a visit. You can visit Caunos at any time although
it is advisable to avoid the midday sun. First you will
have to cross the Dalyan channel via rowing boat then
walk up to the city. Caunos can also be visited as part
of a day tour.
KOYCEGIZ
The original village is submerged under the lake due to
an earthquake some 350 years ago. The now named Old Köycegiz
(second village) was built on the opposite side of the
lake and was run by a feudal system by the Arga Khan known
in Turkish as "Aga", which led to the demise
of the village. The town of Koycegiz is now a small sleepy
village except on Monday when there is a market. Either
boat or dolmus can reach this town, for the dolmus you
will have to go to Ortaca first then transfer to the Köycegiz
bus. By boat you can go directly from Dalyan. Köycegiz
Lake is also the home to a protected Turtle, a soft-shelled
turtle called Trionyx Triuguis Triungularis.
SULTANIYE THERMAL BATHS
Along the channel of the delta from Köycegiz are
The Sultaniye Thermal baths the water is 40 degrees C
.The water has been used since Hellenistic times, first
by the Carians then the Byzantines. The ruins from these
buildings are now submerged .The waters which contain
radioactive elements (harmless) and Hydrogen sulphur are
believed to cure rheumatism, skin disorders, liver, spleen
and bowel complaints, as well as being beneficial for
nervous and digestive disorders.
