Datca Peninsula

Datca is a county seat and the name given to the entire peninsula. One may find whatever one needs here. Datca is the original site of the city of Knidos, which was relocated in 540 B.C. during the Persian invasions. Old Knidos is located 1.5 km north of modern Datca on a hill where there is an acropolis. On the southern side are the remains of an ancient harbor. After Datca we come to broad Ciftlik Harbor, which is located between the Adatepe peninsula and Ciftlik Island. Leaving Ciftlik Bay where there is a holiday village, we pass Adatepe Cape and arrive at Kuruca Cove. From here we pass Kuruca Island and Bozan Cape reaching Bencik, at the narrowest part of the peninsula. Bencik stretches inland 3 km, almost as if attempting to break through to the other side. It is a great pleasure to wander about these coves and inlets drinking in the loveliness of their blues and greens. The beauty of the scenery cannot be adequately told and must be experienced to be appreciated. At the entrance to this bay is Dislice Island. During the Persian invasions in 540 B.C., the Knidians sought to dig a canal between Bencik and Kucukcati on the other side as a defensive measure against the Persian armies and turn their city into an island. An oracle was consulted who reportedly said "If the gods had wanted, they would have made your city an island. Do not pierce the isthmus. "Whereupon they surrendered to the Persians-After leaving Bencik, we enter Hisaronu harbor where the ruins of Bybasos are to be found. On the southeastern side of the gulf is Kecibuku Bay, inside of which there is an island. Kecibuku is the best anchorage. On the island are the ruins of a fort. A bit inland from this bay is the village of Orhaniye and the ruins of Bybasos are located on a hill above the village. The ruins of city walls, some from medieval, some from Hellenistic times can be seen here and there within the forest on this steep and rocky hill. At a place called Pazarcik on Eren mountain south of the village of Hisaronu was the ancient city of Kastabos.

There was a temple here to Hemitheia, the goddess of health, where rites called Kestabeia were held. According to mythology, Molpadia and Parthenos, daughters of Staphylos, King of Rhodes, and Chrysothemis were charged with protecting a newly-discovered sacred wine. Just when they had fallen asleep, the pigs in the house overturned the wine barrels and spilled the wine. Awakened by the ruckus, the girls fled towards the sea in fear of their father and attempted to commit suicide by leaping off a cliff. Apollo however rescued them. Molpadia he carried off to this place now called Pazarcik. When the local inhabitants saw that this girl that the god had brought could cure people in their sleep, they gave her the name Hemitheia and erected a temple to her. This 4th century B.C. structure is of the Ionic order and surrounded by 11x6 columns on a platform. In addition to this temple, there is also a temple to the south. There were three theaters in all on these shores: the one here, one on Kedreai Island, and one at Amos. After leaving Hisaronu Harbor, we enter Delikliyol Harbor and Selimiye Bay. In the bay is a section called Buruncuk that is suitable as an anchorage. A bit inland from this bay near the village of Selimiye is the ancient city of Hyda. Leaving Selimiye Bay we sail pass a number of small islands Kameriya, Koca, Uzun, Topan, and Kargi after which we reach the last of the inlets in the Hisaronu gulf, Dirsek. To enter this one needs to sail round Kargi Island. On the southern side of Dirsek Cape are the underwater remains of an ancient quay. Leaving Dirsek and passing Agil Cape we reach Atabol Cape, the sea of which is full of rocks. Sailing carefully pass them one reaches the Sombeki (Yesilova) gulf. Passing between Kizilada and Zeytin Ada and leaving Kiseli Island to one's port side, we enter Bozburun Harbor. Bozburun Is a famous for its boatyards and the ruins of ancient Tymnos are here. The eastern side of Kizil Island immediately before Bozburun as well as the southwestern side of Kiseli Island are both suitable as anchorages. One leaves here sailing pass Sogut Island and enters Sogut Harbor. There are many Islands here.