Despite the development of technology and science, our spiritual development ...
While spending their holidays on the western coast of Turkey, in Marmaris, most tourists go on an excursion to the beach "Maiden's Braid"
A visit to the sandy beach Maiden Kosa (Turkish Kyz Kumu) is one of the popular tours in Marmaris. An unusual narrow beach, stretching right into the sea for more than half a kilometer, is visited by more than a thousand tourists every day. Only here, you can literally walk along the sea, which barely hides your ankles. Such an unusual natural phenomenon is found only in Turkey and is entangled in legends (read below).
There are two ways to get to the amazing beach. Either go on a jeep safari or take a boat trip. In the latter case, you will travel all day along the coast of Marmaris, stopping for swimming at the many islands. But the last stop awaits you at the Orhaniye village.
On the seashore, not far from the village, the six-hundred-meter Kizkumu Plaj spit of large red-yellow-brown pebbles and sand goes into the sea. On the girl's spit, you can take a leisurely stroll right across the Aegean Sea. The depth is shallow - about 10-30 cm. Swimming from the spit is possible only in the part that borders the open sea. Another part of the girl's spit is silted, covered with algae and polluted. 
On the shore, next to the girl's braid, there is a beach with sun loungers, bars and restaurants. This is for those tourists who are afraid to walk a kilometer along the Kyz Kumu, in shallow water. The cost of the trip varies depending on the route and travel agency from $ 25 (yacht) to $ 50 (jeep safari). In any case, a visit to the unusual beach Maiden's Braid in Marmaris will remain in your memory for a long time. Local residents are protesting against excursions, so do not postpone the tour and have time to walk along the Kyz Kumu spit!
Two legends about the Maiden's Scythe in Marmaris
The first legend. Three thousand years ago, pirates laid siege to the city of Baybassos, killing the king and all its inhabitants. But only 
one princess managed to run to the shores of the Aegean Sea. That's bad luck - the girl could not swim to swim across the bay. However, as a result of a miracle, a sand spit suddenly appeared under her feet. The girl, it was, ran along the spit, leaving the captured city far behind. But suddenly the scythe ended and the girl, falling into the water, drowned on a dark night.
Second Legend. The poor fisherman falls in love with the princess, but her father opposes the marriage. Lovers meet at night. The princess lights the fire, and the fisherman sails to the lighthouse. This time, the king's soldiers seized the princess on the beach, but did not extinguish the fire. However, the princess still managed to escape from the hands of the soldiers and threw herself into the water, unable to swim. 
A sand spit miraculously appeared under her feet, along which she ran to her beloved, as if fluttering over water. Her movement was interrupted by a shot. An arrow pierced the chest of the princess, who fell into the water and drowned, turning red the sea near the fisherman's boat.
Problems of the Maiden's Scythe in Marmaris
Turkish agencies grossly violate Protocol 2 of the Barcelona Convention on the Mediterranean. Thousands of tourists every day invade the protected area of \u200b\u200bthe sea, violating the ecology and preventing the environment from recovering. Yachts break the shore, the lack of a pier is a global problem. Local residents sadly state - If ten years ago tourists walked along the spit, barely covering their heels with water, now the water level has risen and has become approximately knee-deep for an adult. In another ten years, the water level will probably rise to the waist.
Maiden Kosa Beach is located on the coast of Orhaniye and is one of the most popular tourist attractions near Marmaris. The drive to the beach will take about half an hour from Marmaris (36 km southwest of Marmaris). This beautiful beach is located just 2.5 km from the village of Turgut. Thanks to this beach, Orhaniye village has become an important tourist center. Hisaronu bay, where yachts sail, is the village's pier. Orhaniye is endowed with incredibly wonderful nature. There is a beautiful beach, calm sea and pine trees.
Maiden's Scythe and Hisaronu Bay
The most amazing thing that you will see on Maiden Spit beach is the walking of people on the sea! As a result of the accumulation of sand by the underwater current, two paths appeared on the surface of the water, dividing the bay into two halves. You can walk 600 meters along them, the water barely reaches your knees. On the beach you can sunbathe, play games, swim in the sea, do water sports and even ride a camel.
Maiden's Scythe Marmaris
The word Kizkumu in Turkish means "girl's sand". There are many legends related to this beach. One of them says that the daughter of the ruler of the city of Bybassos fell in love with a fisherman. The king, having learned about this, categorically forbade his daughter to communicate in any way with the fisherman. But the daughter did not obey her father, and continued to secretly meet with her lover. The king ordered his soldiers to catch both of them and kill the fisherman.
The next time the soldiers followed the princess. Noticing the surveillance, the princess began to run to the sea to save her lover. At that moment, the sea turned into sand, on which she ran, and then turned into water again. One of the soldiers directed an arrow at the fisherman, but missed, hit the princess. The princess's blood spilled that day served to redden one part of the sea.
Kosa Kiz-Kumu is included in the list of attractions on the western coast of Turkey. It is she who provides the main influx of tourists to the small village of Orhaniye.
The Kyz-Kumu sand spit on the Google panorama:
Translated from Turkish, Kyz-Kumu means "girl's sand or girl's braid." On maps, the place is indicated as Girl sand beach... Contrary to the name, the coverage of the site is mainly pebble, but in some places there are also light-colored grains of sand. Experienced travelers are even advised to bring along special slippers so as not to get hurt on large stones while moving along the spit.
If you observe people following the Kyz-Kumu spit, it may seem that they are walking on water. This is the main beauty of a natural attraction. The fact is that it seems to divide the bay of the Aegean Sea in half - it juts into the depths of the water space for 600-800 meters, practically connecting both shores.
In width, the land area stretches for 10-15 meters. The depth of water in this part reaches from 15 to 30 centimeters, while on either side of it the distance between the bottom and the surface is several meters.
Unfortunately, recently the Kyz-Kumu sand spit is gradually sinking under water. Now moving along it does not look so impressive - in some places the water reaches the waist. This is due to the massive invasion of tourists into the protected area of \u200b\u200bthe sea. For information, in the high season up to a thousand people come here. If this continues, Turkey may lose its attraction.
Kosa Kiz-Kumu in Marmaris on the map
In addition to the village of Orhaniye, the nearest settlement to the sandbank is called Turgutköy. It is located 4 and a half kilometers away. The distance from the famous Turkish resort of Marmaris to Kyz-Kumu is 26 kilometers, from Icmeler - about 18 kilometers. Braid coordinates for the navigator: 36.759164, 28.130498 or 36 ° 45'25 ″ north latitude and 28 ° 7'48 ″ east longitude.
Legends
The appearance of the landmark has a scientific basis - the underwater current of the Hisaronu Bay constantly brings sand and pebbles here, as a result of which a sandbank was formed. But for some it is more pleasant to think that the origin of the spit in this area is associated with sad legends. One of the versions can be read at the stand not far from the sandbank. The texts are available in two languages \u200b\u200b- English and Turkish.
According to this legend, 3 thousand years ago, the ruler of the city of Baybassos lost a war, which lasted more than one year, to his enemies. As a result, they captured the city, killed the inhabitants and the king himself. Only the princess of the kingdom, known to many for her beauty, survived. The girl tried to escape from the invaders. Once on the coast of the Aegean Sea, she realized that she could not swim and could not swim across the bay. Miraculously, she began to make a path for herself from the sand, which was in her skirt. It began to get dark. The princess got lost, and when the sand in her skirt ran out, she drowned in the sea.
There is also a second versionwhich you will not see at the stand. It tells the story of a poor fisherman who falls in love with a princess. The girl's father opposes this connection. The princess has to meet with her lover at night on the seaside. Once their meeting was interrupted by the king's soldiers, who seized the girl. She managed to break free and dive into the water. A spit of sand appeared randomly under her feet. The princess's movement was interrupted by a shot that pierced her chest. The heroine of the story fell into the water and drowned, painting part of the sea red.
The heroines of the plots found their embodiment in a modest sculptural composition "Girl", installed at the end of the Kyz-Kumu spit. They say that if you reach it after making a wish, then it will certainly come true. You can try.
What to see near the Kyz-Kumu sand spit
Near the landmark is located sandy beach of the same nameequipped with sun loungers, sun umbrellas, gazebos, awnings, changing cabins and showers. There are also bars and a restaurant on the beach. Clear warm water will also contribute to a comfortable rest.
However, if you decide to swim, give preference to the part of the spit that borders on the open sea. Otherwise, your holiday will be overshadowed by an abundance of silt and algae.
How to get there
A visit to the sandy spit of Kyz-Kumu is often included in the program of excursions to the Aegean Islands. It usually takes no more than an hour to get to know a natural landmark. Tourists are also offered to look at the popular place as part of a jeep safari. Independent travelers may be advised to use a rented car, taxi, bus or boat.
From Marmaris
By bus: First you need to get to the station (otogar) of the city. This can be done on a blue or orange dolmus (minibus). Once there, you need to buy a ticket to Orhaniye or Turgut. Buses run literally every hour, but it is better to check the exact schedule of their departure directly on the spot.
By car: the whole journey will take you about 36-40 minutes. It is preferable to take the D400 motorway, then exit at Marmaris Bozburun Yolu and continue along it until you are in place. The destination will be on the left.
By taxi: but you can just enjoy the beautiful views while sitting in a taxi. The services of Marmaris Taksi, Marmaris Transfers, Marmaris Liman Taksi will come to your aid. Cars are based at special parking lots in different parts of the city.
On water: in Marmaris, you can also rent a yacht and go on it to the sandy spit of Kyz-Kumu. Orhaniye has a marina for ships and vessels (Orhaniye Marina).
Video about the Kyz-Kumu spit in Marmaris:
Marmaris is located in a unique natural location at the junction of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Marmaris itself is the pearl of the Aegean Sea, but few people know that next to Marmaris there are beautiful, picturesque, much less popular among tourists, picturesque places that we also recommend visiting.
There is a village 27 kilometers southwest of MarmarisOrhaniye. The sea bay, located in Orhaniye, has a unique attraction, a sand spit, along which you can almost cross from one side of the bay to another, while the water level will be barely above the knee. Unfortunately, the spit breaks off before reaching the other bank. On both sides of this spit it is deep but, walking along the spit, you will feel able to "walk on water like dry"
There is a belief that if, having made a wish to reach the end of the sand bar and come back, it will certainly come true. We hope that this is exactly how it will happen. The sand spit is called Kyz Kumu, which can be translated as Maiden Sand or Maiden's Scythe.
According to legend, this braid was poured by a girl, picking up sand in the hem and pouring it in front of her in order to meet her beloved who lives on the other side. But there was not enough sand, and the girl was never able to reunite in her lover. In fact, the spit is not entirely made of sand, but rather small red stones mixed with sand, like rubble. Since the scythe is reddish light, most of the legends associated with it have a gloomy shade, and often end in the death of an unfortunate girl. Remains of masonry can be seen on the rocks nearby. In ancient times, the city of Bybass was located there. According to another legend, the daughter of Tsar Bibassa fell in love with a simple fisherman living on the opposite shore. At night, the girl went ashore, gave a sign to her lover with a torch, and he sailed to her on a boat. The girl's father found out about their meetings and the next night the girl was forcibly brought ashore where the guards lit a torch and gave a signal to lure the young man into a trap. In an effort to warn the young man, the girl threw herself into the water, and the sand under her feet rose and she ran along it as if on dry land, but, not reaching the other shore, she was killed by one of the guards, blocking the young man who had sailed to this place on a boat. then the braid has a reddish light, as if stained with the blood of a girl.
Whether it was really not known, but a unique natural phenomenon boggles the imagination and makes you believe in a miracle. The Maiden's Spit is part of Hisaranu Bay and is about 600 meters long. Coming off the spit, you can swim, deep on both sides of it. There are several well-equipped beaches on the coast of the bay with sun loungers, showers, cafes and restaurants. There is also a marina for yachts called Jennet Marina, which means heavenly coast in Russian. There are a few comfortable, not too expensive hotels where you can stay overnight. Also, several pleasure yachts depart from the Kyz Kumu beach, conducting an excursion around, which will offer you to enjoy a sea walk for 6-7 hours. At the same time, you can swim in the cleanest warm bays, eat fish for lunch and in the evening again come to Marmaris by a service bus.
Excursions from Marmaris on which they visit Kyz Kumu - and Walk along
