Af Kule Monastery
A Hike Rewarded With Spectacular Views
By Slowtravelguide
It should be recognised; monasteries appear, most of the time, to be located in scenic locations.
Think of the Yediler Monastery near Lake Bafa or the Af Kule monastery near Kayaköy and Fethiye.
If you are in the Fethiye area and like to take beautiful short walks along walking trails, head to Af Kule to enjoy the views.
We will tell you more about the Af Kule Monastery and how to get there.
We Promised A Spectacular View!
The History of Af Kule
Af Kule means ‘the tower of forgiveness’, ‘the tower of mercy’, and even the ‘tower of grace’. Kule is the tower in Turkish; the word “af” in Turkish can be translated into several words.
The translation mentioned above seems to be the most commonly accepted monastery name.
The Work Of One Man
Why The Name ”Af Kule”?
Because of the story of the monastery and the monks who decided to build it in the 11th century.
When Ayios Eleftherios saw this lovely and secluded place for the first time, he began to build a monastery here and confessed before God.
(The Steps Up To The Hermitage)
Although Af Kule may be small and built with few tools, it is impressive simply because of its spectacular setting on a cliff and carved into the rock.
This was Ayios Eleftherios’ life’s work, and he continued to build this building until his death, after which the monks who joined him built another building below it.
The Entrance Door
Great Picnic Spot, Right?
How To Get AF KULE?
The hike to the Af Kule Monastery is all part of the experience. This well-signposted hiking route is a local walk that complements the long-distance trail called the Lycian Way.
These local trails are marked with red and yellow markings for easy identification. You will find the starting point for the walk at the end of a small forest dirt road from Kayaköy to Gemiler Road.
A brown sign points to Af Kule, where you must enter the forest.
You can drive along the forest road until the start of the walk, where there is space to park your car. However, leaving your car at the edge of the forest is also possible and maybe shows more respect for the nature around Af Kule.
Follow the yellow and red signs and these instructions. From the parking space, take the forest path on the right. Continue along this road until you reach an intersection where you must keep to the right. Also, pay attention to the stones that indicate which way to go.
What To Expect
How To Get There: Private, rental car (check the map below).
Nearest Airport: Dalaman Airport.
Parking: Yes.
Terrain: Medium.
Stroller: No.
Entry: Free.
Facilities: No.
Best Time To Visit: All year, depending on the weather.
Continue climbing in the shade of the pine trees until you reach the next intersection. Here, it would help if you went straight on.
The monastery will await you below after passing the top of the mountain. It is still slightly hidden behind the trees, but if you look closely, you will see it. After that, go down the hill until you reach the entrance.
Take in the view whilst walking!
A First Glimpse Of Af Kule
On A Clear Day, One Can See Rhodes On The Other Side
What Should Be Your Expectations For AF KULE?
In addition to a pleasant and beautiful walk, you should hope to find a peaceful place (especially on weekdays) with jaw-dropping scenery.
Despite its location, you may meet Turkish families who like to use it as a picnic spot on weekends.
Af Kule Monastery is spread over two floors, with an internal staircase and a small church next to it.
A bit further south, you can still see the remains of the reservoir.
Remains Of The Chapel Next To The Monastery
Nature Is Slowly Taking Over
Believe us when we say it’s worth climbing the rugged steps to the hideout. The scenery is breathtaking, like climbing up. Whether you are in ruins or not, as we said in the title of this article, the picture is breathtaking.
Therefore, as said earlier, the view is your main reward after the walk; these views alone are worth making the trip.
Places Nearby
Things to do in Fethiye, explore Turkey’s abandoned St. Nicholas Island (4km)
Visit Kayaköy, a ghost town and tourist attraction (5 km)
Visit and swim at Ölüdeniz, a blue lagoon (8km)
We like Fethiye town, Turkey (12km)
View Butterfly Valley (12km)
If you have any questions about a place, feel free to ask. You can send us a message through our contact page or leave a comment on our Instagram or Facebook pages.
You can also join our group Turkey Travel Photography on Facebook to share your lovely photos or experiences about Turkey.
Practical Information
Af Kule is a remote place. No facilities. Remember to bring enough water, especially in hot months, and some food. Be sure to wear suitable hiking shoes. This is not spurring of the moment type adventure.
Besides that, enjoy yourself and maybe take a few snapshots with your camera.
Places We Recommend
Yediler Monastery
A Byzantine-era monastery in the sacred Latmos Mountains offers mystical views and beautiful frescoes from start to finish. (Coming soon)
Alahan Monastery
Alahan Monastery, if you are in the neighbourhood of Silifke or if you are near Mersin, then Alahan Monastery should be on your list. This ancient site, reasonably unknown by the broad public, is one of these old hidden gems in Turkey. (Read more)
Pınara
When visiting Pinara, the words that come to mind are untouched, undiscovered, mysterious and serene. Another off-the-beaten-track destination is often overlooked when visiting nearby Xanthos.(Read more)
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