Ancient City of Lyrbe
Ancient City of Lyrbe in Manavgat, Turkey
The ancient city of Lyrbe is located near Side, in the Manavgat district, among a pine forest north of the coast. In literature and on maps, this place is also often referred to as Seleucia. The archaeological site is considered one of the ancient cities of Pamphylia, and its secluded location helps visitors imagine what a small urban settlement looked like outside modern resort areas.
Fragments of the city layout have been preserved on the site: stone streets, remains of residential houses, public buildings, columns, walls, and open spaces. The ruins visible today mainly date to the Hellenistic and Roman periods, while life here continued into the Byzantine era. For this reason, Lyrbe is interesting not because of a single monument, but because of the complete structure of an ancient city.
The site is usually visited by those who want to see ancient ruins in a calmer setting than at the most famous archaeological sites on the coast. There is no dense modern development here, so attention is focused on the landscape itself, the stonework, and the layout of the quarters. The trip is especially suitable for travelers interested in the history of Side and the inland areas of Manavgat.
The road to the ruins passes through a forested area and may be uneven in places, so it is best to plan the route in advance. For visiting, it is more convenient to choose closed-toe shoes and keep in mind that the infrastructure on site is limited. Lyrbe is more often included in an independent trip around the surroundings of Side together with other ancient and natural sites of the region.
Ancient City of Lyrbe on the map
The Ancient City of Lyrbe and its ruins among the forest
Streets, quarters, and traces of the ancient layout have been preserved here.
Ruins of an ancient city among the forest and stone streets
During the visit, you can walk along the remains of ancient streets and see fragments of quarters where the foundations of buildings and the lines of walls are still visible. Parts of public structures, columns, sections of market space, and elements of later development have been preserved on the site. This makes it possible to see not only individual ruins, but also to understand the overall organization of an ancient city.
Lyrbe stands out because it is located far from the modern resort environment, so attention here is focused on the archaeological landscape. The visit usually takes place on foot over uneven rocky ground, in places among trees and shrubs. It is better to allow time for a calm walk in order to examine the masonry, the terrain of the site, and the remains of buildings in different parts of the settlement.
A trip to Lyrbe is often combined with a visit to ancient Side, Manavgat Waterfall, or other historical places in the surroundings of the city of Side. It is usually reached by car or taxi from Side and Manavgat, as the final sections of the route run along a local road through the forest.
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