Sura (Lycia)

Sura was an ancient city in Lycia, located on the southern coast of modern-day Turkey. Its ruins are situated near the modern village of Sura, close to the mouth of the Sura River (now known as the Alakır Çayı). The city was a member of the Lycian League, possessing one vote.

Historically, Sura was known for its oracle of Apollo, associated with a spring where the god revealed prophecies through the movements of fish. This oracle was mentioned by several ancient authors, including Pliny the Elder and Tacitus.

Sura experienced periods of prosperity during the Roman and Byzantine eras. Evidence suggests it was a significant Christian center, as it was the seat of a bishopric. Bishops from Sura are recorded as participating in various church councils.

The city appears to have declined in later centuries, possibly due to earthquakes or other natural disasters, although the precise reasons for its eventual abandonment are not definitively known.

Today, the ruins of Sura consist of remains of walls, tombs, a church, and other structures. Archaeological investigations have been limited, and much of the site remains unexplored.