'A 5,000-Year-Old Ghost Village in a Tourism Paradise'

Kayaköy: A 5,000-Year-Old Ghost Village in Fethiye

Located in the Fethiye district of Muğla, Kayaköy, often referred to as a ghost village due to its abandonment years ago, is also listed among the protected sensitive areas. It attracts attention from visitors.

Kayaköy, which hosted 101,868 visitors last year, holds the title of the second most-visited archaeological site in Muğla. The village features approximately 400 houses, 2 churches, and chapels.

Kayaköy has become a popular stop for tourists and those participating in regional tours.

The historical structures in the ghost village offer visitors a journey back in time.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Kayaköy is accessible by ticket, and according to information from the Fethiye Museum Directorate, it welcomed 4,000 visitors during the 9-day Eid al-Adha holiday.

Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca stated that they have participated in numerous fairs both domestically and internationally to promote the district.

Karaca noted that Fethiye remains a popular holiday destination for both domestic and international tourists this year. He said, “Fethiye has become a rare tourism center where everyone can enjoy their holiday with various tourism destinations. The holiday was filled with activity. We hosted thousands of tourists in Fethiye. In addition to beach tourism, we also welcomed guests interested in cultural tourism at the archaeological sites. During the holiday, 4,000 people visited Kayaköy, one of the most visited places in previous years.”

Karaca also mentioned that efforts are being made to extend tourism in Fethiye to 12 months a year in collaboration with the municipality and stakeholders.

He highlighted that Kayaköy used to have a newspaper before the Republic era and said, “Kayaköy consists of buildings on the mountainside that do not obstruct each other’s views. It is an area where agricultural land has not been occupied. We have been fighting for five years with a protection-oriented zoning plan to preserve the region. We are starting this work together with our ministry.”

Karaca added that friendship and peace festivals are organized in the region to maintain good relations with the Greeks who left the area during the population exchange.

'Houses Are Built So That They Don’t Block Each Other’s View'

Turgay Kılınç, who came on vacation from Bursa with his family, expressed his admiration for the site as soon as he entered and regretted not having visited earlier. He noted that the houses are built on the mountainside, while the plain is used for agricultural purposes. Kılınç said, “The ancients harmonized with nature, while we are trying to adapt nature to ourselves. The ancients did it very well. Everyone should come and see this place. The houses are built so that they do not block each other's view. It's architectural mastery.”

'We Are Eager to Host Everyone'

Süleyman Çoban, who runs a restaurant in Kayaköy, highlighted that tourists visiting the site provide significant economic benefits to local businesses and residents. Emphasizing that Kayaköy, known as the ghost village, comes to life with visitors, Çoban said, “The area is also on the Lycian Way. Visitors sometimes stay here. Kayaköy receives a lot of visitors in September and during the season. We are eager to welcome everyone here.”

5,000-Year-Old History

Kayaköy, established on the slope of a hill and dating back to the Greek period, has a history that extends back to 3000 BC. After the Greek population left the village due to the 1923 population exchange agreement following the War of Independence, the village was inhabited by Turks but was affected by the Fethiye earthquake in 1957. Following the damage to the houses in the area, permanent settlement in the village came to an end.

The village, which has been turned into a tourist site as Kayaköy Ancient City by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, attracts attention from both domestic and international visitors.