Is Myra still hidden underneath modern Demre?

Archaeology is such a captivating activity that may lead to many surprises, some good and some not so good, but in the case of Myra, it sounds very promising as a huge mudslide may have preserved the city secretly over the past 700 years.

Until now only the Roman theater framed by the rock-cut tombs in the hills behind it and the church of Saint Nicholas are visible (read further: Myra, the city of Saint Nicolas and Ancient Myra from Finike).

Using new radar technology, archaeologists have now traced walls and buildings under today’s Demre and since 2009, they have been excavating a small chapel dating from the 13th century. In the eastern wall, a cross has been carved allowing the sunlight to filter inside as if it came back to life. A highly unusual fresco has also been discovered. It seems to be built with recycled stones from older buildings and tombs.

This discovery sounds very promising because if this chapel is so well preserved, hopes are high to find more intact buildings, maybe even a city comparable to Pompeii. This chapel leads the researchers to believe that Myra was quickly entombed by the mud because, except for some damage to the dome, the entire construction is very well preserved.

Time for me to go back and have a fresh look!