The Lycian Shore

Freya Stark (1893-1993) was an explorer and traveller. She was one of the first non-Arabs to travel through the southern Arabian Desert.

'There are not so many places left where magic reigns without interruption and of all those I know, the coast of Lycia was the most magical.' Lycia, on the southwestern coast of Turkey, is an ancient land steeped in mystery, myth and legend. Home to the fiery chimera and to the great heroes Sarpedon and Penderus; heartland of worship for the goddess Leto and her children Apollo and Artemis; old ally of Troy, lure to conquering Cyrus and Alexander and to centuries of travellers, artists and writers - Lycia, part of the 'Turquoise Coast' now attracts more tourists to her glimmering shores than any other part of Turkey. In the early 1950s, following the trail of ancient Persian and Greek traders, Freya Stark set out by boat to explore the Lycian coast. She was guided by the traces of Lycia's rich history and cultural heritage. For all those who now follow in her wake, there can be no better, more evocative or knowledgeable guide to this, Turkey's most enchanting coast.

In the early 1950s, following the trail of ancient Persian and Greek traders, Freya Stark set out by boat to explore the Lycian coast. For all those who now follow in her wake, there can be no better, more evocative or knowledgeable guide to this, Turkey's most enchanting coast.

IllustrationsMapsForeword by Colin Thubron1. The Voyage of Elfin2. Chios: The Defeat of Athens3. Samos: The Double Code4. Patmos to Calymos: Time5. Island Pirates: Adventure6. Cos to Halicarnassus: Captivity7. Cnidus: The Persian Governor8. The Doric Peninsula: Decadence or Transition9. Loryma: The Persia Gold10. The Rhodian Peraea: Civilisation and the Middle Class11. Caunus: Alexander's Road12. Xanthus: The Lycian Federation13. Aperlae: Loyalty and the Mercenaries14. Myra: The Fold15. The Chelidonian Cape: Magic16. Chimaera to Phaselis: The Pool of TimeDatesReferencesBibliographyIndex