About Letoon
Near Kumluova, Letoon was the Lycian League's principal federal sanctuary, dedicated to Leto, Apollo and Artemis. Three adjacent temples, a sacred spring and theatre formed a ceremonial centre linking different cities through shared religious identity.
History
Sacred activity at Letoon is traceable to the seventh century BCE. Local traditions connected the sanctuary with Leto and her children Apollo and Artemis. The three temples and ceremonial areas were arranged in Classical and Hellenistic times. A trilingual inscription in Lycian, Greek and Aramaic is a key document for the Lycian language and administration. Worship continued under Rome, followed by a Christian basilica. Letoon and Xanthos entered the UNESCO World Heritage List together in 1988.
Highlights and principal structures
- Temples of Leto, Apollo and Artemis
- Sacred spring and nymphaeum
- Theatre
- Trilingual inscription area
- Early Christian basilica
Historical period
Classical–Roman