Lake Bafa Hiking
Lake Bafa is an important refuge for flora and fauna, much deserving of its status as a Nature Reserve. In the surrounding area of Lake Bafa and the Meander Delta, there are over 250 species of birds. With 60 species of orchids, 20 species on our property, and natural...
Lake Bafa History
In ancient times Lake Bafa was open to the sea and was known as the Gulf of Latmos. On the entrance of the gulf was Miletus in the south and Priene in the north. Within the gulf was the small Carian city Herakleia. The gulf was an important place for marble, e.g. the...
Carian Trail
The Carian Trail is the longest trail in Turkey. It consists of 820 km hiking trails and follows mainly ancient Carian paths. One of the nicest parts goes to some villages in the Latmos Mountains. Silva Oliva Hotel & Farm is ideally located to get access to this part...
Prehistoric Rock Paintings
The prehistoric rock paintings in the Latmos Mountains were created between 8000 - 4000 B.C. and are the earliest witnesses of prehistoric paintings in Western Turkey. Up to today, over 170 places could be discovered. They are considered as places of worship and...
Herakleia
Herakleia is a harbor city that was built in BC 350 at the command of King 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 quarrying and...
Monastery of the Seven Brothers
A short walk from Bucak village into the Latmos Mountains is the Monastery of the Seven Brothers with a wonderful view over the lake. The Monastery was established by monks in the 7th century AD. There is a cave with frescos and another with prehistoric stone...
Twin Islands
We cross to the other side of the lake by boat. There are ruins of defense monasteries on both islands. The bigger island is connected to the shore by a sand dune. You can swim here. Following an ancient street, hike to Herakleia and return to our hotel by boat. You...
Mystical Places
Cult places, not well described, are scattered on the Latmos Mountains. The Latmos Mountains was for thousands of years mystical Cancel place. Near Bağırcık village and in Ekiztaş are menhirs with steps leading to the top. The location of Labranda in the same...
Stylos Monastery
A challenging and rewarding hike to the Stylos Monastery which is high in the Latmos Mountains. There is an amazing cave with frescos. The Stylos Monastery was the biggest monastery of the region and was known for Saint Paul the Younger who lived on a tomb and ate...
Labranda
Just as Didyma was the holy site for the nearby city of Miletos, so too was Labranda the holy site (of the God Zeus) for the city of Mylasa. The Carian people built a road between Mylasa and Labranda. The oldest ruins are from BC 600 but most of the present buildings...