Water cult in Anatolia and the sanctuary of Letoon

Human beings has believed in the existence of a olympian power depending on the geography and political conditions during the historical periods and according to their belief they have seen "water" as a symbol of purification and rebirth and personified the water and have given an identity Anatolia is a region where the beliefs about water are reflected in archaeology in various periods. In this study, the data showing nature and existence of water cult have been investigated in Anatolia. Besides in this context, the subject of Letoon Sanctuary is discussed. The Letoon Sanctuary is an important religious center of the Lycian region with Leto-Apollon-Artemis temples, nymphaion, porches, theatre and the reflections can be traced since the Elians where is in Kumluova neighborhood of Seydikemer district of Muğla province. Divinesses notion developing around water in Letoon Sanctuary is seen that water reflects its place in religious and public structures and fields, in addition to meeting the needs of people throughout the historical periods and whole civilizations. In our study, the value and importance that water gained in the Letoon Sanctuaryand how it is evaluated and its reflection on architecture have been discussed.