Isinda (Belenli)

The ruins of Isinda are on a hill very near the village of Belenli. You can reach there by taking a right onto the asphalt road that you see after passing the village of Ağullu on the Kaş-Finike road.

Like other Lycian cities, Isinda was also presided over by a “bey.” Therefore they were represented by Aperlai in the Lycian Union. Inscriptions telling about the city have the phrase “Aperlailians of Isinda” showing that the Aperlai represented Isinda.

The city is surrounded by city walls. The foundation marks of a long structure can be seen in the middle of these walls. Like all Lycian cities set up on high altitudes, the people of Isinda also met their water needs by using water tanks and cisterns.

The most interesting ruins in Isinda are the two house-type tombs in the center of the acropolis, with inscriptions written on them in the Lycian language. It is also possible to see Lycian-type sarcophagi from the Roman era and several rock tombs on the side of the village. A few of them are on the slope above the village.

There is a striking view if you look from Isinda to the direction of Kaş.

There is a tomb in Cindam which is not far from Belenli, and the upper part of the tomb is like a sarcophagus and its lower part is built like a house.

İlhan Aksit's book "Işık Ulkesi Lycia" (Lycia, Country of Light) and web site of Ministry of Culture & Tourism was used as a source for this webpage.