Introduction to Kıyıkışlacık & the Ancient City of Iassos

The seaside village of Kıyıkışlacık, also contains the ancient Carian city, Iassos (aka: Iasus and Iasos).

Location

The turn off to Kıyıkışlacık is marked about 10km northwest of Milas. Once you turn off the main road, it’s an 18km journey leading to Kıyıkışlacık and Iassos. If you’re in the vicinity of the Milas-Bodrum airport, why not drive a little further round the coast and visit the ancient city of Iassos.

Getting There by Land

Continue past Bodrum-Milas airport on the main road (D330), and turn off left heading through Avşar, keep following the road to the right, and Iassos is adjacent to Kıyıkışlacık. In summer, an hourly Iassos-Milas dolmuş operates (~TL5), and a less frequent service runs during the off-season months.

It’s a bit of a twisty road and at times you may wonder if you’re going in the right direction, but just keep following the signs and you’ll reach it.

Getting There by Sea

Alternatively, Kıyıkışlacık can be reached by water taxi from the port of Güllük, which is just a short distance across the bay. Port Iasos Marina is located south west of Kıyıkışlacık and is the closest marina to Bodrum Airport, there are water taxi services which connect this Marina to Güllük.

Address: Kiyikislacik Koyu Goklimani Mevkii Gulluk – Milas / Mugla TURKEY

Telefon: +90(541)760 42 41   E-Mail: info@portiasos.com

History

Iassos was once an island, sustained by fishing and sales of the local red and white marble from the nearby hills. This ancient city was a member of the ancient Delian League, and took part in the Peloponnesian Wars, and was abandoned in the 15th Century.

Visit the following reference sites, to learn more about the history and discoveries at Iassos:

1. Travel in Turkey have posted a great narrative about the Ruins of Iassos
   1. Temple of Zeus; The Land Wall; The Theatre; The City Centre; The Island Wall; Burial Sites
2. Roberto from RomeArtLover has created a summary of the key elements at Iassos, accompanied by a collection of enticing photo’s.  Visit Robert’s Iassos page.  (This is also a good reference site for other ancient sites in the area)

Things to See

The ancient city of Iassos is now connected to the mainland, and is located opposite the fishing harbour. The entrance fee is 4TL when there’s a person is attendance at the small ticket office (near where the Milas bus stops). Tucked behind this ticket office, and hidden from casual view are the extensive remains of Ancient Iassos, consisting of a large agora overlooked by temples and a small bouleterion (an area where the city council met).

Once you’ve toured this ancient site, you can head out of the entrance and look for the path that winds up the hill (directly facing the harbour), and this will lead you past more ruins, casually dotted about the landscape. These include terraced houses from the Roman era, which have geometric mosaics on their floors.

A castle dating from the Middle Ages, built by the Knights of St. John, stands at the top of the hill, and it’s walls are still in great shape because it was repaired and reused during subsequent eras. You can’t currently tour the castle, but this vantage point provides a panoramic view of the sea and harbour area.

If you follow the coastline, you’ll be heading towards the remains of a breakwater tower which is set at the entrance of the Iassos Bay.

Things to Do

• After a wander around Iassos, head over to the harbour area, and enjoy a drink or meal at one of the local restaurants.

• Yakamoz Restaurant; Jasmin Restaurant Lodge; Ceyar Restaurant; Can Restaurant; Tepe Restaurant; Jasmin Restaurant

• Visit Monks Place Beach and Mud Bath at the nearby Sicaksu (Hotwater) Cove located near the Port Iasos Marina.

• Zeytinlikuyu Beach

 Map: Getting There

View larger map

 

Map: Exploring the Ancient Carian City