The ancient city of Myra, which is located in today's Demre district center and its vicinity, was founded on the plain of the same name. The access channel to the west of the Myros River (Demre Stream) provided the city's connection to the sea. On the other side of the channel, Andriake (Çayağzı) Port, the sea transportation and trade was carried out. The ancient city of Myra is especially famous for Lycian rock tombs, Roman theater and Byzantine Saint Nicholas Church (Santa Claus).

Rock tombs, Lycian inscriptions and coins, Myra's at least BC. They show that they existed from the 5th century. According to Strabon, Myra, one of the six largest cities of the Lycian Union, is called Myrrh in the Lycian inscriptions.

BUSINESS. The 2nd century was the period when Myra witnessed a great development. In the city, which is the metropolis of the Lycian Union, many buildings were built and repaired with the help of rich Lycian people. During the Byzantine period, Myra became one of the leading cities in terms of religion as well as administration. The fame that has survived until today, St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) AD. In the 4th century, he became the bishop of the city and after his death he became a saint and built a church in his name.

Since the 7th century, Myra has lost its importance due to the earthquake, flood and alluviums brought by the Demre Stream and the Arab raids. The remains of today are the theater on the southern skirt of the acropolis and the rock tombs on both sides. According to the researches, it is possible to see the Hellenistic city walls dating back to the 5th century BC in the vicinity of the acropolis hill. The theater, located at the southern foot of the acropolis, reflects the characteristics of a well-preserved Roman theater with its seating rows and stage building. The stage building stands up to half of the second floor. There are relief or flat rock tombs on both sides of the theater.

One of the most interesting examples is the relief tomb, which depicts the dead and their relatives in the Myra tombs, which are the best examples of Lycian wooden house architecture. In addition, many rock tombs with inscriptions or reliefs are placed on top of each other on the south facing side of the rock or side by side. On the way to the city center near the theater, the ruins of the baths on the left of the road are early and interesting examples of Roman brick architecture.

The water requirement of the city was met by the channels carved into the rock at the side of the valley where Demre Stream flows. The fact that Myra, one of the six cities with three voting rights in the Lycian Confederation, is named as “the brightest city göstermek shows how important it is. In addition to the coins of the Lycian Confederation of Myra, it is of particular importance that Artemis, the main goddess of the city, was represented in the form of Kybele, the oldest goddess of Anatolia. BUSINESS. Myra, the capital of the Lycian province in the 5th century; The fact that Paul and his friends are the city is of special importance in Christianity.