Demre is a town and district in the Antalya Province on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, named after the river Demre. Demre is the Lycian town of

Myra Myra ( grc, Μύρα, ''Mýra'') was a Lycian, then ancient Greek, then Greco-Roman, then Byzantine Greek, then Ottoman town in Lycia, which became the small Turkish town of Kale, renamed Demre in 2005, in the present-day Antalya Province of ...

, the home of Saint Nicholas of Myra. The district was known as ''Kale'' until it was renamed in 2005. Until the 1920s the majority of people who lived in Demre (

) were

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

Greeks. At that time this majority migrated to Greece as part of the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The abandoned Greek villages in the region are a striking reminder of this exodus. Abandoned Greek houses can still be seen at Demre and the regions of Kalkan, Kaş and Kayaköy, a Greek ghost town. A small population of Turkish farmers moved into the region when the Greeks migrated. The region is popular with tourists today, particularly

pilgrims who visit the tomb of Saint Nicholas.

Geography

Demre is on the coast of the Teke peninsula, west of the bay of Antalya, with the Taurus Mountains behind. The mountains are forested and the coastal strip is made of good soil brought down by the mountain rivers. The climate is the typical Mediterranean pattern of hot dry summers and warm wet winters. Before the tourism boom began in the 1980s the local economy depended on agriculture, which is still important today. The villages of Demre grow pomegranates and citrus fruits and now a large quantity of fruits and vegetables all year round in greenhouses. Also with its rich history, attractions like the island of Kekova, the sea and warm weather, this coast is very popular with holidaymakers from Turkey and all over Europe, although Demre still does not have the high volume of tourists enjoyed by districts nearer Antalya Airport. Some local handicrafts like rug making, and events such as the annual camel wrestling festival bring in extra income. The local cuisine includes fish and other seafood from the Mediterranean. File:Unnamed Road, 07570 Kaleüçağız-Demre-Antalya, Turkey - panoramio (12).jpg, Rocky coast in Demre File:Unnamed Road, 07570 Kaleüçağız-Demre-Antalya, Turkey - panoramio (14).jpg, A view of coastal homes and the castle File:Ancient Lycian Tombs - 2014.10 - panoramio.jpg, Ancient Lycian Tombs overlooking the coast File:Unnamed Road, 07570 Kaleüçağız-Demre-Antalya, Turkey - panoramio (11).jpg, Demre Castle File:Demre - panoramio (6).jpg, A local mosque

Demographics

The district has a population of 25,078 according to the 2010 census. The town itself has 15,899 inhabitants. Demre has one municipality (Beymelek) and nine villages. The populations (2007) of the main centres are shown in the table (Municipalities are shown in bold)

History

See

for details of the history and archaeology of the city of Myra (today's Demre) and the history of Saint Nicholas of Myra (

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

). Myra was one of the most important cities in ancient Lycia. Coins have been found dating back to 300 BC, but logically the city must have been founded centuries earlier. The city thrived as part of the Roman Empire and many public buildings were built. In February 2021, Akdeniz University researchers led by Nevzat Çevik announced the discovery of dozens of 2,200-year-old terracotta sculptures with inscriptions in

. Archaeologists also revealed some material remains of the Hellenistic theater made of ceramic,

bronze Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such ...

, lead, and silver. The figurines with partly preserved paint contained the appearances of men, women, cavalry, animals, some Greek deities and the names of artists.

Places of interest

* A number of tombs with a particular local style. * The Roman theatre and other remains of Roman

, in the town of Demre. * Tombs carved into the rocks. * The church of St Nicholas of Myra, honoring the bishop of Myra and the man popularly known as

. * The antique cities of

Andriake Andriake or Andriaca ( grc, Ἀνδριάκη) was an ancient city and the port of the ancient town of Myra in Lycia. It is located in what is now the Demre district of Antalya. The site has a museum. History Andriake is mentioned by Ptole ...

and Simena * A boat trip to the islands and sunken ruins of Kekova.

References

External links