Kumlubükü

From Kadirga Limani, hoist your rigging for another historical bay, that of Kumlu Bükü, which is situated just 1.4 nautical miles past Karaörün Burnu. Kumlu Bükü is a bay comprised mostly of sandy beach, hence the name ‘Kumlu Bükü.’ This beautiful wide bay, which is surrounded by tree covered mountains is one of the few bays with a freshwater spring. However, the bay is exposed to the N, and is affected by reverse winds. Winds blowing from the SE stir up rough waves in the bay. Nevertheless, this is one of the most ideal bays to drop anchor whenever there aren’t any strong winds gusting. Several mooring spots are found in Kumlu Bükü, which is very close to Marmaris. For instance, there is a small cove at the SE point of the bay that is striking for its crystal clear water. Shaded by pine trees, this cove is convenient for mooring in that you can drop anchor in 4 - 5 m. of water and tie a line to shore. Here, you will find the freshwater spring here as well as there are a few motels and restaurants located in the bay. One can take advantage of their services by mooring up alongside the piers. Daily excursion tour boats stop here for meal breaks, whereas sunseekers can catch some rays on the wide beach and take a dip in the sea to cool off.

The ruins of an ancient city called Amos are situated on top of Kumlu Bükü’s N cape. You can trek up the hill to check out these ruins from the point where the beach ends. Here, you will see a fortification wall measuring 1.83 m. thick and 3-3.5 m. high. The N side of this wall, which was constructed in the Cyclopean style, was reinforced with numerous ramparts. You can see that its gate was on this side. This wall along with all the other edifices in Amos date to the Hellenistic Period.

At the W edge of the acropolis is a heavily damaged temple that measures 13.6 m. long. One of Rhodes Peraia’s three theaters is found in the SE part of the hill. One of the other two is found in the ancient city of Loryma at Hisarönü, which we had seen before. Not much remains of this small theater. Next to the rows of seats are two side walls that encircled the theater and stand up to five m. high. Prior to every performance, a sacrificial animal was presented to Dionysus in the orchestra altar.

Inscriptions found at the Amos site have to do with rental agreements which date back to 200 B.C. and are full of regulations concerning the utilization of the land. The head god of the inhabitants of Amos was Apollo, who was worshipped by the name of Apollo Samnaios, a name which has not been encountered elsewhere.