This quiet region only 40 minutes from Bodrum and once the setting of ancient civilizations, is finally receiving the recognition as an attraction that has been kept secret for centuries.
Lake Bafa and its surrounds is home to legends, and if given chance, people are assured to recognize its intrigue and beauty. Historical data reveals various ancient civilizations inhabiting the Bafa Lake environs that have a 2,000 year history. A sea with a large gulf once undulated on the region currently serving as the main transportation route linking Söke to Milas, to Bodrum. Soil brought in via the Büyük Menderes delta, closed off the gulf disconnecting the link between the lake and the Aegean Sea thousands of years ago. Today's Lake Bafa was once a sea with a present coastline filled with traces of the past attesting to this phenomenon
Shepherd Endymion used to stake out the beauty of the moon goddess "Selene" from peaks of Beþparmak (Latmos) mountains. The village of KapIkIrI and the ancient city of Herakleia are located at the foot of these mountains. One is reminded of ancient tales and legends when looking into the sunset from the towers of the Byzantine castle in KapIkIrI village. KapIkIrI's houses brim with relics of ancient Herakleia from the Carian period in their gardens, and under their walls and trees. The village itself seems to be a relic of the past, still living in the past in a subtle, quiet way at the foot of the Beþparmak-Latmos mountains.
MONASTERIES
Ikizce island is connected to the mainland by a sand dune with a Byzantian monastery and an Athenian temple located on its top overlooking the lake and the KapIkIrI village. The temple used both the Doric and Ionic architectural styles, still in good condition, minus its roof.
On the eastern side of the temple, is the rectangular constructed agora as a two storied building. Only its first floor exists, today. The theatre is situated in the northeast of the city. Building dedicated to shepherd, Endymion- who was loved by the Goddess of Moon, Selene and was put to sleep for eternity by God of Gods, Zeus, and is located on the road to the shore and islands.
Heraclea became a safety land of hermitage for the monks and priests in the early evangelization of Asia Minor Christianity. The first monastery was established in the 7th century AD and many monasteries - maybe 13, spread around Heraclea. A castle was constructed in order to protect monasteries that were scattered through this wild region.
The caves around, which are considered to be inhabited by the monks and hermits, are ornamented by marvelous frescoes representing the life of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary and the saints.
TWIN ISLANDS
There are many places to visit near the lake, as the "Yediler Monastery", various churches and the impressive ancient city of Herakleia. The natural beauty of the region is simply astounding. There are four large islands, the KapIkIrI, Ikizce, Menet and Kahvesar to the south of lake Bafa. Tourists would get the opportunity to hear the legend of the love story of Shepherd Endymion and the goddess of moon "Selene" if they chose to stay at Bafa for a few days. Villagers still believe the two lovers meet regularly at full moon. HERAKLIA
Herakleia is a harbour city that was built in BC 350 at the command of Mausolos of Caria. The people of the gulf of Latmos (now Lake Bafa) were brought by force from Latmos to establish Herakleia. The main means of subsistence for the people was the mining and selling of marble, mainly to richer cities such as Miletus and Didyma. As time went by the gulf was cut off from the rest of the coastline by the silting up of the river Meander, and so gradually the city lost its importance.
Monuments still standing are the relatively well-preserved temple of Athene and the extensive city walls, which date from Hellenistic times. Beşparmak Dağ (Mount Latmos) and Lake Bafa are places of great scenic beauty and mystery. Afterall, it was here that the Moon Godness, Selene , fell in love with the shepherd Endymion and granted him immortality. The unusually-shaped Sanctuary of Endymion is still to be seen near the shore beside Heraklia. |
Land Tours 
