Ancient port of Andriake to be completed as part of project

The Heritage to the Future Project in Andriake, the port area of the ancient city of Myra located in Antalya's Demre district, focuses on completing the walking route within the port and safeguarding the structures in the port center through conservation efforts.

Work has been ongoing since 2009 in the ancient city of Myra and its port Andriake, one of the most important metropolises of Lycia from the classical age to Rome and the Christian era when it was the capital. The ancient city attracts visitors with rock tombs from the classical Lycian period, acropolis structures, a Roman theater with a capacity of 11,000 people, baths and the St. Nicholas Church from the Byzantine era.

Andriake was one of the busiest and most magnificent ports of the ancient Mediterranean.

Excavations in Andriake have so far unearthed the granarium (grain depot), which now houses the Museum of Lycian Civilizations, along with the agora, baths, churches, synagogue and the monumental structures of Tiberius Square. Intensive excavation, preservation and environmental landscaping efforts continue under the Heritage for the Future Project.

Professor Nevzat Çevik, the head of the Myra-Andriake excavations and faculty member at Akdeniz University's Department of Archaeology, stated that the excavations in the region entered their 15th year and continue year-round.

Stating that Andriake Port was among the most magnificent and lively ports of the ancient Mediterranean, Çevik stated that excavation and conservation work in the granarium, agora, baths, necropolis, port structures, churches, synagogue, shipyard and shop areas in the port center had been largely completed so far.

He emphasized that they are currently focusing on excavating the customs area...