Our boat was anchored in a quiet cove overnight, and we were fortunate to wake up to such a beautiful day for our hike in the Greek “ghost town” of Kayakoy, located south of Fethiye. Following breakfast on board, the crew took us to shore, and we were transported to Kayakoy by minibus.

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

Kayakoy has such an interesting—but sad—history. The people of this town were Greek Orthodox Christians and lived in relative harmony with their Turkish-speaking Muslim Ottoman rulers from the 14^th century until the 20^th century. In 1914, a campaign was started by the Muslims who wanted the Greek Christians out of Turkiye. In 1919, 6,500 villagers from Kayakoy (as well as other Greek Christians in Turkiye) were forced to leave by the government, and many died walking the 110 miles to cross Turkiye’s border. Others were forced into Ottoman labor.

From 1919-1923, the city depopulated, and then in 1923, the Greek and Turkish governments agreed on a population exchange. The Greeks living in Turkiye were relocated to Greece, and the Muslims in Greece were sent to Turkiye. All these people were forced out of their homes, soon to be occupied by newly exchanged residents. The Muslims who were sent to Turkiye refused to live in the homes of the previous Greek occupants, however, because many Greeks had died in their homes.  They said there were “ghosts” in those houses, so that is how it became an abandoned “ghost town.”

In 1954, some of the regulations of the treaty were lifted, so some of the victims returned to what they had viewed as their country—the place they had lived their entire lives until they were forced into exile.

Currently, 925 people live in the village, but most of the previously abandoned structures sadly remain that way.

The hike, very steep at times, was beautiful and well worth the effort. The views were spectacular at the top, and the abandoned homes were quite photogenic.

Views from the inside looking out:

Back in the little village of Kayakoy, we had some free time to wander around:

Next up: TURKIYE #13: HIKING & SWIMMING THE TURQUOISE COAST