About
Simena Archaeological Site is an ancient Lycian city in the Demre district of Antalya, on which the present-day village of Kale stands. Inscriptions found here show that its history goes back to the 4th century BC, and its castle remained in use in the Middle Ages. Within the inner castle, enclosed by medieval walls, are the scant remains of a temple and an adjoining stoa. Also inside the castle is a small theatre cut into the bedrock, with seven rows of seats for around 300 people. Above a rock tomb rises a Roman wall, topped in turn by a later crenellated rampart, so three periods can be seen together. On the shore, the inscription of a ruined bath records that the people of Aperlai and other cities of the league dedicated it to Emperor Titus. One of the house-type tombs bears an inscription in the Lycian language. From the castle, the sheltered position of the natural harbour at Üçağız is clearly visible.
Opening hours (muze.gov.tr, October 2026): 08:00–19:00, ticket office closes at 18:30. Open daily. Paid entry; the Müzekart museum pass is accepted.
