Sunday, March 11, 2012

"Ruins of Pinara"


According to historian Strabo, Pinara was one of the largest and most important cities of the Lycian League of States in what is now modern Turkey. Pinara was established on the main road which ran through Lycia; this accounted for the city's prosperity.

Like the other Lycian cities in the region, Pinara has a wealth of ancient funerary art in its well-preserved tombs and sarcophagi. Even though the site has been abandoned by the archaeologist and is quite overgrown with foliage, the ruins are in good state of preservation. The city was founded between two hills. An Odeion is found at the base of the smaller hill, and the scant remains of a small temple are near it. The theatre is located on the side of the hill behind. Rock-cut tombs dating to the Roman period can be seen in the southern part of the city. Several of these are very interesting with their elaborate carving and reliefs. One comprises a high, pointed arch that is crowned with the ears and horns of an ox.

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