Kekove

Kekova Island is a large island that faces the village of Kale, and gives its name to the entire
region. The name "Kekova" is Turkish for "plain of thyme" and describes the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Üçaðiz and the three ancient towns of Simena, Teimussa and Tersane. Kekova Island is also known as the "Sunken City", as it is partially submerged. This is a result of earthquakes throughout history.

Boats can dock at Tersane Bay which is at the end of the island. There is the apse of a Byzantine church here. As there have not been excavations in the area, the island is full of unexplained remains. To the right of Tersane Bay there are shops submerged below sea level and to the left lurk the remains of a sunken city. On the coast, houses are half sunken with stairs and the foundations of buildings running under the sea.

The Kekova region was declared a Specially Protected Area in 1990 to protect the natural, cultural and geographic richness of Kekova Island and surrounding coast.


Boats can dock at Tersane Bay which is at the end of the island. There is the apse of a Byzantine church here. As there have not been excavations in the area, the island is full of unexplained remains. To the right of Tersane Bay there are shops submerged below sea level and to the left lurk the remains of a sunken city. On the coast, houses are half sunken with stairs and the foundations of buildings running under the sea.