Dalyan in Türkiye: a perfect mix of history, nature and sustainability

euronews (in English)

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.

Transcript

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!

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