Dalyan in Türkiye: a perfect mix of history, nature and sustainability
In this episode of Explore Türkiye, we visit a city where the pace of life is slow, cycle along eco-trails, and take a look at ancient ruins.
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00:00Imagine a place where history, nature and sustainability meet.
00:07Here, in the Turkish region of Dalyan, you can visit a slow-paced town, hike or cycle along eco-trails
00:14and observe sea creatures beginning their new lives.
00:17Let's take a look.
00:19Köyceğiz is a picturesque little Turkish town rich in sweet gum trees,
00:29which five years ago joined the Çıtaslo program,
00:33a network of towns and villages that suit the slow pace of life
00:37and prevent the impact of globalization on local customs.
00:41There are no traffic lights, coal fires are banned
00:44and the nearby village of Çandır produces entirely organic fruit and vegetables.
00:52But I'm not here to do sightseeing.
00:54I want to immerse myself in nature.
00:56The beautiful Köyceğiz Lake, where the grey mullet of Dalyan swims, is the place to be.
01:01You can sail, kayak or choose to rent a bike and take a tour on two wheels.
01:06Blue and green dance together in this environmentally protected region
01:10where various eco-trails have been created to promote eco-tourism.
01:15470 kilometers of hiking trails and 740 kilometers of cycling routes
01:21allow you to completely enjoy the beauty of this unspoiled nature.
01:25In this area, it is essential to build bicycle paths within the scope of sustainable tourism.
01:31In the climate crisis, we need to support local tourism,
01:36and to protect nature, we need to improve the services and services of bicycles.
01:43To raise awareness, the routes follow the water, the main source of life,
01:47using ancient tracks and roads from a time when men lived more in harmony with nature.
01:54Another way to visit this area is by boat.
01:57A natural channel, the Dalyan River, connects the lake to the Mediterranean
02:01and sailing it gives you a totally new perspective.
02:05According to ancient beliefs, the higher the tombs were placed, the closer they were to the gods.
02:11That's why kings and commanders' burials were always placed on mountain sides.
02:17These unique rock-cut tombs are part of the ancient city of Kaunos,
02:21which dates back to the 9th century BC and was inhabited by Romans, Persians and Rhodians.
02:27In this once very important seaport, there's a lot more to see.
02:31Its Acropolis, the Greco-Roman theatre, the Agora, and something that was essential for its construction.
02:55These buildings have survived a tumultuous past,
02:58caused by Muslim Arabs, pirates and a malaria epidemic that led to its abandonment.
03:04Since its rediscovery, Kaunos has become an essential stop for tourists.
03:09From up here you can admire a stunning view of the river and its Tutsu beach.
03:14That's where I'm headed to.
03:18This 4.5 km long beach is one of the most famous on the Aegean
03:22and it's a place of ecological importance,
03:25as well as one of the well-known spots where loggerhead sea turtles, or caretta caretta, lay their eggs.
03:31During the summer, these turtles, leaseless and injured,
03:34return to their birthplace beach to breed.
03:37A journey of thousands of kilometers,
03:39Turkey is one of the last significant nesting habitats in the world.
03:43It's to protect them that a turtle sanctuary has been founded.
03:55There are also foxes and leopards in this sanctuary.
03:58When they go to the sea, they eat crabs, fish and dog fish.
04:03When they start to grow up, unfortunately,
04:05they lose their lives due to their obsession with imaginary fields,
04:08swallowing weeds and pollution.
04:11During the breeding season,
04:13students from the biology department of Pamukkale University and volunteers
04:17walk the beach to look for baby turtles that didn't make it to the sea
04:21and injured ones such as Ladin,
04:23who unfortunately ate a plastic bag.
04:26She's in the center to recover.
04:29So how old is Ladin?
04:3135, 40 years old.
04:33And they can live 78 years.
04:35Wow, like us.
04:36Yes, like us.
04:37Ladin and other sea turtles like her
04:40can count on this center and its people to heal and find their freedom again.
04:47What an inspiring location to end my visit to Dalyan,
04:51surrounded by nature and the fresh sea air.
04:54Görüşürüz!