The ancient city of Melanippe, located in the Mavikent town of Antalya's Kumluca district, is situated on a peninsula 3 km. from Karaöz Bay. The importance of the city, which was a small coastal settlement under the sovereignty of Gagai since the Hellenistic Period, stemmed from the fact that it was a sheltered harbor serving other settlements around it.  

According to the historian Hekaitos, the city was founded as a Greek colony in the Archaic Period. The name of the city derives from the Greek words Melas (black) and Hippos (horse). In the Middle Ages the city was called 'St. Tephanos' and sometimes 'Karaözi'. The name Karaöz, which is used today, also comes from here.

The city, which witnessed the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods, is surrounded by walls on three sides. The city is reached by following a path leading to the hill on the south side of the harbor. There are 5 vaulted chamber tombs on this path. The entire rocky hill is surrounded by Byzantine Period walls. Most of the walls, which are estimated to have been built in the 5th century AD, are intact.

The entrance gate is next to the rectangular tower outside the southern walls. Most of the standing buildings in Melanippe Ancient City are located in the north. The houses lining the narrow streets are usually two-storied and the lower floors are decorated with vaulted cisterns.

There is a basilica at the top of the city.Ship and boat drawings were found on the outer walls to the west of the church. From these drawings, it is assumed that the sailors who reached the harbor left messages to the god and made good wishes for their next voyage to be good and accident-free. The ostothek and sarcophagi found in the bay are thought to be the remains of a shipwreck.

The ancient city of Melanippe, located in the Mavikent town of Antalya's Kumluca district, is situated on a peninsula 3 km. from Karaöz Bay. The importance of the city, which was a small coastal settlement under the sovereignty of Gagai since the Hellenistic Period, stemmed from the fact that it was a sheltered harbor serving other settlements around it.