Lycia: Phellos
From here, one needs to go as far as the fire observation tower. We can leave our car here and start walking towards the hill which is located just ahead. In addition, it is possible to reach the ruin1 trekking from Kas. The acropolis on the hill car reached via the narrow footpath which is hid amongst the bushes. Looking down from acropolis, we can see that we are directly above I Looking west, we are enchanted by the view of snowy peak of Mt. Akdag.
Phellos was a rather significant town in 4th century B.C. In fact, Antiphellos, (today’s Kas) was Phellos harbor. Later, while Antiphellos 1 becoming a rich and important town on account o cedar forests, Phellos lost its old importance.
The city occupies a long narrow area on the crest of the hill, some 550 meters in length and meters in width. The first indication of it on the 1 up is a group of four sarcophagi in a row, with a j now fallen. A little above this, several stretches of north wall of the city are standing, in mas1 polygonal masonry of early date; on the south side wall is almost entirely destroyed down to ground level, though its line is recognizable in places. , highest point is occupied by an enclosure with a ro wall surrounding a hollow now filled with scrub; apparently represents a medieval fortification of summit.
Below the city-wall on the south side is a , handsome sarcophagus still largely intact. It stands on a solid base and has reliefs on three sides. On the long south side is a man reclining on a couch holding a cup, with a figure standing on either side of him front of him is a table, and below the couch are birds resembling pheasants. On the short west en a man, apparently a warrior, but partly destroyed by a large hole broken into the tomb, and on the lid above two facing griffins in the two panels; on the 01 short end is a man standing with arms outstretched while a smaller figure on the left hands him a helmet.
There are a number of rock-cut Lycian tombs on the south slope of the hill, some partly buried; at least one has a Greek inscription of the Roman period.
Towards the west end is a free-standing tomb of house-type cut entirely from the rock; it contains a single chamber with benches on three sides, the one at the back is hollowed out. Two fragments of a Lycian epitaph were found close by. Just to the east of this is a curious and interesting complex, comprising a house-tomb with two chambers, outer and inner, in good preservation, other small tombs of various kinds more or less broken, a semi-circular wall of late masonry, and a rock-wall carrying a relief of a huge bull, which has seen a great deal of damage .
Alone among the cities of the region, that on Mt. Felen is very well supplied with water. There is a copious spring on the east slope of the hill, and a fountain in the village of Cukurbag; not far away, at Pinarbasi, is a particularly abundant spring which today supplies Kas. And on the hilltop, inside the city-walls, two wells have recently been sunk; the water is good and very cold. Though there may not be very much of the town of Phellos above ground these days, it is worth it just to take in all the incredible beauty of the surrounding area. With its green vegetation and fresh air, Phellos is close enough from Kas to reach on foot.
Kas was originally called Habesos or Habesa in the ancient tongue of Lydia and later was given the name Antiphellos. It is one of the oldest settlements in the region of Lydia. Most of the ancient settlement is now covered by the modern town of Kas. The rock-cut tombs to the northeast of the town date to the 4th century BC
On a rise between the open sea and the hill, which was probably the acropolis of the ancient city, lies a rock tomb formed like a Doric structure with Doric triglyphs on the facade. Inside the tomb is to be found a frieze of dancing female figures.
The acropolis was surrounded by a fortified wall, of which traces are to be seen on the facade facing the island of Meis (Kastellorizon). No traces of fortifications are to be seen on the northern or western slopes. To the west of the modern town stands the ancient theater overlooking the sea.
This structure possesses a remarkable view. It was constructed of local limestone and today the tribunes and outer walls are still visible although no trace of the skene is left. On the western edge of the acropolis are traces of a temple. Tombs of the Roman Period are scattered about the town and along the coast.
No traces of fortifications are to be seen on the northern or western slopes. To the west of the modern town stands the ancient theater overlooking the sea. This structure possesses a remarkable view. It was constructed of local limestone and today the tribunes and outer walls are still visible although no trace of the skene is left On the western edge of the acropolis are traces of a temple. Tombs of the Roman period are scattered about the town and along the coast.
Kaş was originally called Habesos or Habesa in the ancient tongue of Lycia and later was given the name Antiphellos. It is one of the oldest settlements in the region of Lycia. Most of the ancient settlement is now covered by the modern town of Kaş. The rock-cut tombs to the north-east of the town date to the 4th century B.C.