 Click within yellow lines for theater plan. The theater of Myra was originally built between 200 and 225 CE and renovated around the year 300. Its cavea is 111 m. (364 ft.) in diameter, surrounding an orchestra 30 m. (98 ft.) in diameter. Unlike many other theaters that are built into the side of hills, Myra's was built entirely out of masonry, supported by two vaults. Just northwest of the theater in the cliff overshadowing it are numerous cliff tombs. Each is carved into the rock face and resembles a house, even to the detail of the ceiling rafters. A similar group of tombs is on the opposite side of the same hill, facing the Myrus River (Demre Cayi). Want to go deeper?The following are recommended to help you look deeper into the history and archaeology of Myra. Recommended for purchase: Claude E. Fant & Mitchell G. Reddish – A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey (Oxford, 2003). – Nearly two-thirds of the New Testament, including all the letters of Paul, most of Acts, and the Book of Revelation, are set in either Turkey or Greece. This book serves as a historical, biblical, and archaeological guide to most of these biblical sites. View excerpt George Bean – Lycian Turkey Classic Guides to Turkey (London: John Murray, 1989). Frank Sear – Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. (Oxford, 2006). – Sear discusses Myra's theater and includes a plan (Plan 389, Pl. 128).on pp. 346-347. Ekrem Akurgal – Ancient Civilizations and Ruins of Turkey: From Prehistoric Times Until the End of the Roman Empire (Haset Kirabevi, 1985). | cheaper, earlier edition – Akurgal was the archaeologist in charge of the excavation of the original Smyrna at Bayrakli. Online resources: Christine Eslik, PhD – Recent & current excavations at St. Nicholas Church and Andriakē ANMED – Excavations at St. Nicholas Church – Frescoes (ANMED issue 2004-02). | "Excavations at Church of St. Nicholas in Myra-Demre" (ANMED issue 2006-04). | "Surveys in Andriake in 2005" (ANMED issue 2006-15). Patty & Kemal Safyurek – Myra. See also their related site on Lycia, which is one of the most thorough and helpful available, including Lycian history, archaeology, photos, and much more. Charles Fellows – An Account of Discoveries in Lycia (London: John Murray, 1840). Discusses Myra on pp. 196ff. Lynn Levine – "Demre" in Frommer's Turkey 4th ed. (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley& Sons, 2006). 298-302 (299-301 unavailable online). Luc Wouters – Photos of Myra. Virtual tour (360° photos) – Frontal view of theater | View from orchestra | View from near top | Cliff tombs behind theater | Sarcophagus of St. Nicholas Andrys Basten – St. Nicholas Church (photo gallery) Burak Sansal – Demre & Myra | St. Nicholas of Myra | Lycia and the Lycians – Sansal is a Turkish professional tour guide. About DS Contact DS © 2009 DeeperStudy.com | Steve Singleton, All Rights Reserved | Myra Theater Satellite Image |