The history of Kaş: from Antiphellos to today

In antiquity, the Lycian coastal city of Antiphellos stood where Kaş is today. Walking through the town you come across Lycian sarcophagi, rock-cut tombs and an ancient theatre, which makes Kaş feel like an open-air museum.

Antiphellos

Antiphellos was originally the harbour of the inland city of Phellos. Over time it grew through sea trade to become one of the important cities of the region. Its name is of Lycian origin, and Lycian inscriptions found in excavations show that Kaş is one of the oldest settlements in the area.

The ancient theatre

West of the town, on a slope facing the sea, stands a small Hellenistic theatre. Without a stage building behind it, its seats look directly out over the sea towards the island of Meis. At sunset it is one of the favourite meeting places in Kaş.

The Lion Tomb

The symbol of Kaş is the Lion Tomb (also known as the King's Tomb), standing at the top of the old shopping street, Uzun Çarşı. This Lycian sarcophagus from the 4th century BC has four lion heads on its lid and a Lycian inscription on its base. It has stood in the middle of the town for centuries.

The rock tombs

Many Lycian rock tombs are carved into the cliffs behind Kaş. One of the most interesting is the Doric Tomb (Kesme Mezar) west of the town. Carved from a single block of rock, it has a frieze of figures in relief on its inner wall.

From Andifli to Kaş

In Ottoman times the town was known as Andifli, a name derived from its ancient one. The name Kaş is said to come from the shape of the peninsula, which resembles an eyebrow ("kaş" in Turkish). The island of Meis (Kastellorizo), directly opposite the town, belongs to Greece today and is a short boat ride from Kaş.