Our Islands… St Nicholas and Karacaoren

There are two islands which lie in close proximity to the mainland on the western side of the Oludeniz Bay.

They are large grey limestone elevations rising out of the sea.

Through the centuries wild garlic, thyme, grasses and bushes have rooted themselves into their rocky crevices. Probably used as an anchorage in earlier times, it was Christianity that brought a permanent settlement, quarrying the islands’ puckered dark limestone to build walls, dwellings, churches and tombs. 

The University of Osaka carried out surveys of the two islands  between 1980 and 1999. Apart from the University findings there is no written evidence on the islands either before or after the North African invasions of  the 680’s. Christians moved inland to Anatolia specifically Cappadocia until the arrival of the Selcuks who built a formidable  navy able to protect the Anatolian coasts from marauders.  After this time St. Nicholas Island is mentioned in the portolans of Portugueses sailers (14th C) under the name of ‘Isola di Perdikai (Island of Partridges) and it may well be surmised that they started then to call the main Island ‘St Nicholas’.after the  church. 

From the geographical location of the islands we can surmise that:

1.         They  provided stable anchorages for those travelling between Kalkan and Fethiye.

2.         Their situation close to the mainland shore allowed easy access for transport of food stuffs etc.

3.         Island fishermen provided fish for the mainland.

4.         The Islands would have been ideal as a centre for Christian communal living and prayer.

The covered way still almost complete, was a processional route used by pilgrims? who crossed the sound immediately below. Levissi (now known as Soguk Su due to a fresh water channel running into the sea here). A few steps above the covered way one reaches the main church partly hewn out of the rock-bed. With marble screen and  mosaic flooring, now open to the elements; it must have been a fine small basilica. Since excavation was carried out  it is no longer possible to enter the church.  Above are the remains of a clerical? building.The views from here are even more extraordinary. Oludeniz is hidden, but Kidrak beach and the Capes are in view.