Rhodiapolis Antik Kenti
A small Lycian city hidden in pine forest on a hill northwest of Kumluca. It is known for the monumental tomb of Opramoas, which carries one of the longest honorific inscriptions of the ancient world.
Rhodiapolis is a compact but carefully planned Roman city on narrow, difficult ground. The buildings sit so close together that the theatre, agora, baths and church are gathered within a few hundred metres. Most of the remains lie among red pines, so the visit doubles as a pleasant forest walk.
Its most famous structure is the tomb of Opramoas. A 2nd-century benefactor, Opramoas funded rebuilding in more than 30 Lycian cities after earthquakes; the inscription carved across his tomb walls lists those gifts one by one and counts as one of the longest honorific texts of antiquity.
The site was laid out after excavations from 2006 onwards; the theatre is small but largely standing. Visitor numbers are very low, so the city is completely quiet. It is about a 5 km turn-off from central Kumluca, with a dirt track at the end that gets awkward after rain.
- Best time
- Spring and autumn
- Budget
- Free
Tips
- The final stretch is a dirt track; low cars struggle after rain.
- For the Opramoas inscription, head northeast of the theatre.
- It is forest ground — take tick precautions in spring.