The purpose of Gökova Environment Group is to work in conjunction with Gökova Belediyesi to enhance all matters related to the environment. To this end we are working continually to recognise areas in which we can investigate the possibility of change for the better. We have weekly meetings with members of the Gökova belediyesi in which we discuss ongoing projects and new ideas.
History of Gökova.
In ancient times, Gökova was the location of the Carian city of Idyma. The city extended from east of Akyaka where Inisdibi now stands, probably as far as Elmali in the west and to where the Dalaman road has been laid to the south of Gökova.
The acropolis stands on the hillside above our town and we are directly overlooked by the necropolis with around fifty tombs ranging from exquisitly carved edifices to simpler rock graves dating from around 400 BC.
The whole of this alluvial plain is called Gökova. In Ottoman times it was called Cova [ pronounced DJOVA ]. Today in the plain of Gökova [ pr. GURK - OVAH ] there are two towns called Gökova and Akyaka, six villages named Ataköy, Akçapinar, Gökçe, Çitlik, Sirinköy and Yesilova. The population is about 10,000. For this reason, Gökova Townis in Gökova.
Gökova town is situated about 2 km inland from the holiday resort of Akyaka. Gökova town is a separate municipality from Akyaka, yet Idyma's acropolis and necropolis are often erroneously attributed to Akyaka however, there is relatively little of archaeological interest in Akyaka. Gökova Town's Kozlukuyu Mahallesi [properly translated as Kozlukuyu District] is a first degree archaeological area with the ruins and rock cut chamber tombs of Idyma dating to 5thC BC.
The first recorded mention of Idyma [now Gökova] was in 546 BC. as a member of the Attika-Delos Sea Union founded against the Persians with the leadership of Athens. Idyma became a member of the Union by paying 1 Talent and 890 Drachmas in taxes. Idyma minted its own silver coins in the second half of the 5thC BC. The coins show the name IDIMION and the head of the God Pan on the reverse side.
Gökova was, until 1999, a village governed by a mukhtar. In 1999 it became a township or municipality with an elected mayor by a decision made by the Council of Ministers in November 1998. The township covers an area of 1,900,000 sq.mtrs.
As the area of Kozlukuyu, lying directly at the foot of the Idyma necropolis, is now a first degree archaeological area, new building permission is naturally refused. There is no direct route to either the acropolis or necropolis, both of which can only be reached by climbing.
The bee logo was chosen as one side of Idyma coins often has the head of Pan with the word IDIMION and a bee on the reverse side showing the value of the environment to the ancient Idymians.
This was our first planting project in Kozlukuyu on the corner shortly after the mural
Our second project was at one corner of the roadbridge. Planting on the other corners will follow
This corner has blossomed recently.
Now it's brimming over with flowers.
Gökova road junction at the bottom of main street near the market - Before any work was done by the group it was a weed patch. This is a regular bus stop
Gökova road junction with work complete. The two planters are built on the spot and a school bench seat between the two. The painting was done by the owners.
This is what it's all about...........
Gökova Water Cistern at Kozlukuyu - Before any work was done by the group it was completely overgrown.
Gökova water cistern - work underway clearing the brambles which had grown to over two metres in height.
Gökova woodland walks - there are many walks around Gökova Town. It is unfortunate that Gökova has been overlooked in the recent past.
Gökova woodland walks - the stillness of the forest with a backdrop of mountains yet only five minutes from the sea by car and one lira by bus!
There are many delightful walks around Gökova which we are recording and recently, a local artist has painted murals at the entrance to Gökova Kozlukuyu Mahallesi and the road tunnel. In the town we are again recording local walks and points of interest on the walks. The medieval water cistern is being restored and roadside Roman tombs are being provided with explanatory signs. Gökova Park is to be further developed and is the ideal venue for a drink or a snack after visiting the Saturday market which is the largest in the region. Gökova Park has a full view of the major Carian tombs of Idyma.
Gökova road tunnel wall paintings - on the road into Gökova and in the town itself there are wall paintings by a local artist which add colour to the town.
In Gökova, the short walk to the tombs is in flower in the spring with geraniums, anemonies and many beautiful wild flowers as well as the gardens of local people.
Gökova Park is in a central position behind the town's main street and makes an excellent spot to have some lunch and a drink before or after the bussel of the Saturday Market which is the biggest in the area.
Gökova Idyma tombs - this particularly spectacular tomb is known to locals as "The Scream" for obvious reasons. In fact this tomb is half a tomb. Originally it was a "temple tomb" as per the Paktyes tomb at the top of this page but half of it has fallen away. What you are looking at is the relief above the temple roof and the burial chamber itself, the facade and columns etc having long since fallen away.
Idyma Tombs on the mountainside at Kozlukuyu above Gökova Town
Lying on the mountain are various artifacts which must have been there for hundreds of years, if not millennia. Above is a doorstone from a tomb in the open. Was it from a robbed or a collapsed tomb?
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