A PIECE OF HEAVEN

The ancient city of Kedrai, or most commonly known as “Sedir Island”, has approximately 800m cost on the east of the Gulf of Gokova (Keramos) in Ula District. With its rich natural texture, 1st degree protected beach and archaeological site, and also is a Natural Habitat Area. Sedir Island, the largest of a triple island group filled with ancient ruins, speaks to those who are interested in both history and nature with its amazing beauty. Although the island got its name from cedar tree, there is no cedar tree on the island today. The sands of Cleopatra Beach, which is under protection, formed by geological formations and are actually limestone droplets formed in a special way. In Aegean and Mediterranean regions, it is forbidden to take this rare sand out of Sedir Island which can also be found on Crete Island.

Today, the closest settlement to the island which is in the town of Ula is Çamlı village of Marmaris and the fastest transportation to the island is from the port of Çamlı village. Transportation to Sedir Island is provided by day excursion boats from Akyaka district of Ula in Muğla province or by boats from Çamlı village of Marmaris district.

The ancient city of Kedrai, which dominates Gökova Bay, has always been an important center because of its proximity to the mainland and being surrounded by strong walls and being only reachable by sea transportation. It is understood that the island, which had sheltered ports, was an important commercial base under the sovereignty of Rhodes. Sedir Island is the main settlement of the city of Kedreai. The closest islands, Orata Island and the Small Island had structure of urban settlement and a number of remains can be seen. The necropolis of the city is located on the mainland to the east of the island. The fact that some remains of buildings can be seen by the sea and in the necropolis suggests that the settlement may have been partially spread to the mainland.

Historical development of Kedrai whose historical development can be seen starting 6th century BC was one of the important cities of Caria. According to some sources, the royal families of Caria spent their summers on this island. The island became one of the important towns of Rhodes in the following centuries. Kedrai joined the Carian League in 454 BC and 428 BC then entered the Attika-Delos Maritime Alliance. The settlement on the island was formed on the eastern side of isthmus (kistak) which divides the island into two. The theatre, sacred areas, housing, the harbor and many other important civil and religious structures of the city were on this area surrounded by walls. Necropolis area, port and some of the other civil buildings were located on the mainland on the east side of the island. The vast majority of surviving remains on both the mainland and the islands today are from the Eastern Roman period. After the increasing Turkish raids on Karia region around the end of 11th century AD, the city officially went under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the first quarter of the 15th century.

The places worth seeing in the archaeological site are; a large number of stone towers and walls, the Apollo sanctuary, remains of churches and chapels one of which was the Big Basilica built using the most ancient materials in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, the still-standing, well-preserved theatre with a seating-capacity of 2,500, agora- the center of commercial activities in the city-, numerous cisterns, and remains of ancient ports.

Sedir Island, the ruins of the ancient city of Kedrai, with its unique nature, golden yellow sand and a fascinating sea reflectin the different shades of blue is waiting for visitors..

Source: muze.gov.tr