Milas is a geographical area in the province of Mugla with great natural beauty and boasts 30 ancient cities and settlements throughout the county.
The town spreads out over the slopes of mount Sodra and the plain that bears its name, has been inhabited since 1000 B.C. Milas takes its name from Mylasos, a descendent of the wind God, Aeolis. lt was the capital city of Caria and a place of pilgrimage during Carian times as it was the site of the famous temple of ‘Zeus of the Doubleaxe’ in antiquity.
In ancient times Milas was called the city of temples because of the extensive use of marble in its buildings. Milas’s 3000 years of continuous culture and history is visible at every corner.
Nowadays Milas also plays an important part in yacht tourism with its two gulfs of Mandalya and Gökova. After Captain Cousteau visited these bays he said “Whoever wants to see paradise should visit the Gökova gulf.”
The western Menteshe Mountains are rich in fauna and floraon in the high plateaus. These mountains are ideal for hunting and trekking tours.
Historical Places:
Iasos: History dates back to 3rd century B.C. Only 18 km away from Milas. Trade center in Roman times.
Eromos: Built in 6th century B.C.; with its 16 columns standing – still one of the best preserved Zeus temples
Labranda: this ancient place once was the site that was dedicated to Zeus with priest houses, treasure houses thombs and sacred way.
Herakleia: close to Bafa lake, between Latmos gulfs and Aegean sea with temple of Athena.