# Letoon Ruins (Letoon Antik Kenti) — The Sacred Sanctuary of Ancient Lycia
Letoon Ruins are the ancient federal sanctuary of Lycia dedicated to the goddess Leto, a UNESCO World Heritage site located between Fethiye and Kaş.
Unlike neighboring Xanthos, Letoon was not a populated city but rather the religious heart of the Lycian League, dedicated to the worship of Leto and her twin children, Apollo and Artemis.
Mythology, Temples, and Frog Springs
According to myth, Leto fled the wrath of Hera and stopped here to wash her newborn twins, Apollo and Artemis. Local shepherds rudely refused to let her use the water, prompting Leto to turn them into frogs. The sacred spring became the center of the sanctuary. Today, the partially flooded ruins of the Nymphaeum (monumental fountain) still echo with the croaking of frogs, maintaining the ancient legend.
At the heart of the site stand the foundations of three temples aligned side-by-side: the Temple of Leto to the west, the Temple of Artemis in the center, and the Temple of Apollo to the east, which contains a mosaic floor depicting a lyre. A well-preserved Hellenistic theater lies nearby. Letoon is also famous for the discovery of the Letoon Trilingual Stele (written in Lycian, Ancient Greek, and Aramaic), which served as the key to deciphering the Lycian language.
Practical Information
- Location: Border of Muğla and Antalya provinces, about 50 km west of Kaş and 65 km south of Fethiye, near Kumluova village
- Road: Asphalt (paved road branching off the D400 highway near Kınık). A small parking lot is situated at the main entrance.
- Infrastructure: Ticket booth, information boards with a site model, toilets
- Entrance: Paid. Admission for foreign visitors is €3 (included in Aegean and Mediterranean Museum Passes).
- Tip: Combine your trip to Letoon with a visit to the nearby ruins of Xanthos, just 4 km away. The open, damp landscape has little shade and can attract insects in summer, so bring sun protection, insect repellent, and plenty of water.