The Tomb of Amintas in Fethiye

The Tomb of Amintas in Fethiye is an ancient structure that has survived since the Lycian period. These tombs, dating back to the 4th century BC, are carved into the rock and are impressive in their preservation. Climbing 100 steps will lead you to the burial site of Amintas, and the steps remain in excellent condition today.

The Tomb of Amintas is considered "the most magnificent of all tombs" in the region. They are also easily visible from lower areas, and as you approach, their beauty and grandeur become apparent. On a column to the left of the tomb, there is an inscription: "Herpamiason Amintas / Amintas, son of Herpamius," but there is limited information about who this person really was. From the location of the Tomb of Amintas, there are great views of Fethiye and the Knights Island, as well as the beautiful seascape.

In this region, several other sarcophagi are open for visitation, yet the Tomb of Amintas always attracts the most attention. It has two floors, and the cover with a Gothic rim and images depicting battle scenes draws special attention, conveying stories about the person's life. Visitors are particularly interested in the frescoes.

The Tomb of Amintas is recognized as a symbolic structure of the city and is one of the most significant archaeological evidences of the ancient city of Telmessos, which has unfortunately survived only in a small part. This greatly enhances the importance of the tombs. In fact, rock-cut tombs are found in many regions of Anatolia, and monumental tombs come in various types, mostly in the form of temples or houses. The purpose of creating stone tombs of temple type was to allow worship of important people, such as kings or rulers, even after their death.