Kanytelis is an ancient settlement that came to life in the 3rd century BC, during the Hellenistic period. Interestingly, it never turned into a city and kept its rural character for centuries. Kanytelis was controlled by the Kingdom of Olba, and later, in the Roman period, by the city of Elaiussa-Sebaste. The village grew around a limestone sinkhole measuring 142 x 95 m and 50 m deep. The cavern, accessible in antiquity, had a sacred precinct at its bottom (Hill 1996). Religious activities continued into the Christian period. In the 5th century at least five churches were built in Kanytelis, four of which can still be traced today. The settlement was abandoned in the 7th century and re-occupied by the Ottomans in the 16th century.
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| Kanytelis (Kanlıdivane) * |
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| Landform (Google Earth) N↑ * |
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| Settlement plan, N↓* |
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| Entrance (A) * |
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| Cobbled square (B) * |
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| Sinkhole * |
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| Hellenistic tower (C) * |
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View from southeast (C) *
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| View from west (C) * |
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| Church 1 from northeast (D) * |
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| Church 1 from northwest (D) * |
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| Narthex from west (D) * |
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| Apse from west (D) * |
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| View from apse (D) * |
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| Church 2 from west (E) * |
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| Olive oil workshop (F) * |
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| Olive oil workshop (F) * |
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| Some shadow on scorching hot day * |
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Modern cemetery around ancient
cistern (G) * |
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| Cistern (G) * |
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| Church 3 from southwest (H) * |
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| Church 3 from northeast (H) * |
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| Main doorway (H) * |
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| Interesting info behind Church 3 * |
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| Forecourt of Church 4 from southwest (I) * |
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| Facade (I) * |
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| Interior from southwest (I) * |
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| Interior from northeast (I) * |
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| Interior from northwest (I) * |
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| Interior from southeast (I) * |
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| Tomb (J) this way * |
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| Tomb (J) * |
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| Tomb (J) |
The text above claims the uniqueness of the tomb, but tombs with three columns (tristyle) were not unusual in the Roman empire. A good example here is the Lion Sarcophagus erected in the ancient city of Termessos now located in Antalya Province. Certainly, it is possible that the structure has some features not seen in other such buildings, but the importance of this very tomb seems to be exaggerated.
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| Tristyle of J (frontal three columns) * |
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| Beautiful olive tree (K) * |
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| Info on K * |
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| House K * |
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| Such wheels were crushing olives (K) * |
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| Eastern room (K) * |
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| Tomb of Aba (L) * |
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| L * |
Don't confuse Abas!
The more famous Aba was a queen who ruled the Kingdom of Olba in the 1st century BC. She was a daughter of the pirate Xenophanes and wife of a certain priest-king of Olba. Nowadays, her name is used locally by owners of tourist infrastructure.
The above board tells us about another Aba whose father's name was Kaligonos, and who lived in the 2nd century AD.
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| View from southeast (L) * |
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| View from northwest (L) * |
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| Small entrance from north (L) * |
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| View from south (L) * |
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| Interior from south (L) * |
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| Interior from north (L) * |
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| Ruins of living quarters (M) * |
My first thought on the trip was that sinkholes must have been attractive for ancient Cilician settlers. One of the two caverns of the Heaven and Hell known as the Corycian Cave was also occupied in antiquity, and it lies just 9 km west of Kanytelis. My other thoughts were about how pleasant the place was at the time of my visit. It wasn't crowded at all, I could leave my car at a parking lot, I could reach every attraction with a cobbled footpath, and, after a long sight-seeing in the scorching sun I could sit at a cafe serving cold drinks.
It is worth mentioning that symphonic concerts are organized annually on the site. During such events musicians and spectators sit on opposite sides of the sinkhole what must create a very special setting. I hope to attend it one day!
