After the Italian occupation of Kastelorizo, Kekova – which at that time was temporarily inhabited during summer because of wood harvest[1] – was disputed between Italy and Turkey.

[2] On its northern side are the partly sunken ruins of Dolchiste/Dolikisthe, an ancient town which was destroyed by an earthquake during the 2nd century.

Rebuilt and still flourishing during the Byzantine Empire period, it was finally abandoned because of Arab incursions.

The Kekova region was declared a specially protected area on 18 January 1990 by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Kaleköy (locally just "Kale") (ancient Simena) is a Lycian site on the Turkish coast.