5 REASONS TO VISIT RHODIAPOLIS DESPITE THE RESTORATION SCANDAL

For a long time, Rhodiapolis had been on our list of places to visit, but we continued to drive past it in search of other destinations. When it came to choosing where to go next, for whatever reason, other locations on the list invariably prevailed. Up until lately, when we at last made the decision to give it a try.

Apart from a repair scandal that made headlines in Turkey’s local press a few years ago, Rhodiapolis has stayed hidden from the majority of people. What then is the significance of the restoration controversy? Is a trip to Rhodiapolis worthwhile? See why you should still visit Rhodiapolis in spite of the restoration scandal by reading this page!

Glorious Rhodiapolis With Its Theatre In The Background

1. RHODIAPOLIS IS THE KIND OF PLACE YOU HAVE TO YOURSELF

We are particularly fond of off-the-beaten-path locations. The explanation is simple: the impressions are amplified since you almost never have to share the experience with other guests. As it happens, Rhodiapolis looks just right. As soon as you arrive, you realise that this otherwise abandoned old site has seen significant investment.

There are structures with restrooms and security to house the ticket counter and other amenities. Although there might be a ticket office, there isn’t an admission charge. Before long, the recently constructed walkways and contemporary infrastructure give place to a dirt trail that leads to the ancient city above and offers a more pristine landscape.

It Pays Off To Always Have An Eye For Detail

The Well Preserved Staircase At The Side Of The Theatre

2. THE RESTORATION SCANDAL IS A BIT EXAGGERATED

Before our visit, we had read about the restoration scandal, and we must admit that the repaired structures above appeared astonishingly new and shining when viewed from the site’s entrance. Indeed, we were questioning whether or not such buildings belonged on the site. As it happens, the Tomb of Opramoas, which was constructed directly beneath the Theatre, and the Theatre are the only portions of Rhodiapolis that have been rebuilt.

Letters and documents are inscribed on the walls of Opramoas’s magnificent tomb in Rhodiapolis. Twelve letters he wrote to Roman Emperors, nineteen letters to various Roman authorities, and thirty-three documents related to the Lycian League are all visible in fragmentary form.

Whatever Could Be Saved, Was Reused

Opramoas, whose father was from Rhodiapolis, was a coeval of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). He was a wealthy Lycian, if not the richest, and he helped many Lycian cities and poor individuals with generous contributions. After a devastating earthquake in 141 AD, Myra and Tlos both received an enormous amount of money to rebuild the civil buildings that had been destroyed.

What makes the restoration a scandal, then? The restored portions appear “awfully new,” which shocks most people, but this is not the cause of the controversy. The restoration efforts were executed appropriately, using appropriate local stones and materials; yet, the contrast in colour between the recently repaired sections and the century-old ruins makes them appear somewhat uneven. The location of the inscribed blocks in Opramoas’ tomb seems to be the main problem with the repair process.

What are our thoughts? We are not qualified to confirm whether or not the engraved blocks are in the correct location. Even if we acknowledge that the renovated structures and pieces “hit you in the face,” they were built with high-quality materials, so over time, everything will start to blend in more. Rebuilding Opramoas’ Tomb also offers you a unique perspective on the colossal scale and distinctively engraved walls of this structure. There’s less of the old-world charm, but you do gain something else.

3. THERE’S A LOT STILL STANDING TO TESTIFY TO ITS HISTORY

Like the Theatre, the majority of Rhodiapolis’s surviving buildings are remnants of the Roman and Byzantine empires. Alongside the ruins of homes and necropolises, you will find a few temples, a church, cisterns, a bathhouse, an agora with a stoa, and an imperial cult sanctuary. You’ll have to utilise your imagination during your visit as there aren’t any information boards on the premises. Take caution when walking—you don’t want to land on a cistern’s bottom!

HILLTOP POSITIONS OFFER GREAT VIEWS

Rhodiapolis is located on a hilltop near the town of Kumluca. From the site, you have great views of the area, the sea, and unfortunately, the greenhouses. Still, views like these are magnificent, and it isn’t hard to imagine what it must have been like back in the heydays of this city.

Still Life At Rhodiapolis

IT’S THE PERFECT COMBI WITH LIMYRA

A little over thirty minutes’ drive away is Limyra, another ancient Lycian city. You can swim in the ruins there instead of on a hilltop point. Both locations have their own charm and are fascinating historically. However, unless you have a special interest in their history, none of the two are locations you would drive across the nation to visit. They are definitely worth a visit if you’re in the neighbourhood, particularly if you prefer to stay away from the crowds and unusual locations.