Demre

Demre is a district of Antalya located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The ancient city of Myra is what makes Demre - a Lycian town famous for its connection with St. Nicholas. 

Formerly known as Kale, Demre was the home of St. Nicholas who once was a bishop in this ancient town during the 4th century. Today, St. Nicholas' church is the focus of the annual ceremony which takes place in the area to commemorate him on or around his feast day of 6th December. It is well worth seeing the Roman theatre which remains here, overlooked by spectacular rock tombs which dates back from the 4th century BC.

History of Turkey

The Melting Pot of Civilizations

The history of Turkey tells of a 10,000 year-old civilisation.

THE EARLY AGES

Anatolia is a melting pot where cultures from Sumer, Babylon and Assyria interacted for centuries with peoples such as the Hattis, Hittites and Hourrites. The result was a unique Anatolian civilisation which has long inspired the thoughts and legends of the West. The ancient Bronze Age witnessed the establishment of the first independent city states. At that time, the centre and southeast of Anatolia were inhabited by the indigenous Hattis. The most spectacular findings from this time are those of Alaca Hoyuk in the Kızılırmak region and of Horoztepe near Tokat, in the Black Sea region. They are contemporary with the royal tombs of Mycenae in Greece.