Kremna Ancient City

Kremna Ancient City

The ancient city of Kremna is situated atop a hill overlooking the Kestros (Aksu) valley in Burdur Province, within the borders of Çamlık Town.

Kremna, which translates to "cliffs" in Ancient Greek, owes its name to the peculiar rocky terrain over 1200 meters high. While historical records of the settlement are scarce, it has been inhabited for centuries.

According to the Roman geographer Strabo, the city was once conquered by Amyntas, the king of Galatia. Following his death, the Romans took control of the city and Emperor Augustus sought to establish peace in the new province by settling veteran colonies in Kremna and other locations.

Kremna Ancient City

Kremna thrived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, during which time numerous public buildings were constructed, including a basilica, two theaters, and a public bathhouse that was later converted into a library and gallery. To supply these facilities with water, an aqueduct was built, along with some impressive mechanical devices.

Unfortunately, nothing from the pre-Roman settlement of Kremna has been preserved, with only ruins from the Middle Imperial period and Late Antiquity remaining.

In 278 AD, the region surrounding Kremna was plagued by bandits, making it unsafe for inhabitants. The Roman troops eventually drove the bandits out, and they sought refuge in Kremna. However, the Romans besieged and defeated the bandits, leading to the city's decline and inability to recover from the damages inflicted during the siege.

During a research expedition, British archaeologists uncovered evidence of the siege, such as two siege walls, numerous projectiles, and a bulwark of defenders. The remains of the forum, basilica, exedra, library, theater, and columned street can still be seen in Kremna.

In 1971-1973, archaeologists conducted an excavation in Kremna, which led to the discovery of nine goddess statues, including Great and Little Athena, Leto, Hygia, Nemesis, and a dressed woman. These statues were later moved to the Burdur Archeology Museum.

Today, Kremna is a haven for nature enthusiasts and researchers seeking refuge in its magnificent atmosphere. Although it is now overgrown with dense vegetation, it still stands as a testament to the region's rich history.