The ancient city of Patara, located between Fethiye and Kalkan, is one of the oldest places in Lycia.. It is located in the village of Ovageleş at one end of the Xanthos Valley.. The most correct answer to Patara how to go can be given by minibuses from Kaş and Kalkan locations.. Antalya Let’s witness this city, which is in the first place among must see places.
You can find the road map of the ancient city of Patara here .
Patara
History of Patara City
Excavations have been carried out since 1988 by Fahri Işık, one of the prominent professors of Akdeniz University, and his teammates.. The ancient city of Patara, known as the home of the Mediterranean Caretta Carettas as well as its archaeological excavations, dates back millions of years. It is one of the rare beaches special for Mediterranean turtles that lay their eggs in this city.
The name of the city was written as Patar in Hittite writings in the 13th century before Christ.. This city with ceramic remains and fragments indicates the Middle Bronze Age.. Stones and ax materials found in the ruins show that the city dates back to the Iron Age.. When the inscriptions and coins are examined, it is seen that the name of the city belonging to the Lycian language is Patara.. Patara, which was controlled by the Seleucid domination at the beginning of the second century BC, is seen as the capital.. BC 3. Lycia, which came under the Ptolemaic government at the beginning of the century, is the leading city.. It was declared as the capital city in 168 BC.. In the so-called Hellenistic period, a theater building was built for the parliament buildings and their fondness for the theater.. Patara, which was captured by the Roman Empire, lost its importance at that time.. While it was under the auspices of Rome from 43-44 years after Christ, it merged with Pamphylia in 73-74 and became a province.. Patara has become a port where Europe collects and stores its grains.. It is an important place for Christians.. It is mentioned that Santa Claus, the name of Saint Nicholaos, is from Patara.
Patara has become an important center with the arrival of the Turks in the Middle Ages.. Today, the Roman Triumphal Arch welcomes its visitors with the entrance of the ruins and its magnificent stance.. 100 years after Jesus. It was built for the governor of the region in years. It is one of the few things that can be understood from the inscriptions.. There are cemetery areas with sarcophagi unique to Lycian architecture.. Kurşunlu Hill is located at the farthest point of Patara.. The theater, which was built leaning on the hill, was destroyed in the earthquake in 147 AD and it was rebuilt from the inscriptions.. The most beautiful view of the city of Patara can be seen from this Kurşunlu Hill.. It is clearly seen in other works in the city.. These; Corinthian temple, harbours, granaries and the baths of Vespasian. The granary behind the swamp seen from the hill is also known as the granarium.. By the Emperor and his wife after Christ 2. It was built in the century. The water of the city comes from the Kiziltepe cliffs of Islamlar village, 20-25 kilometers north-east.. Delik Kemer, the most monumental place of the waterways, is located in the north of Fırnaz.
Patara Ancient City Lighthouse
Patara ancient city lighthouse, there are inscriptions written in the language of that time and engraved on it. In this article, the lighthouse was used in 64 and 65 AD.. It is written that over the years. It is known that the lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt is the oldest lighthouse in the world, but not a single structure about the lighthouse has remained.. There is the oldest historical lighthouse still standing in the Spanish city of Lacarunya.. But it is known that this lighthouse was restored in the 19th century.. The lighthouse in Patara was built 60-65 years before the lighthouse in Spain.. In fact, all the stones of this lighthouse are still standing on it.. It is known that Nero, the Roman emperor of the period, built two large lighthouses in the ancient city of Patara approximately 2-3 thousand years ago.. These lighthouses, which showed sailors their way for centuries, were destroyed by the tsunami.. On the lighthouse, it is seen that the traces of the tsunami still remain.. It is the only lighthouse in the world that has stood for 2-3 thousand years.. It is currently awaiting repair.
Artemis, the Legend of Apollo
Apollo, known as the god of the sun, Artemis, known as the goddess of hunting and the moon, Zeus, known as the king of the gods, and his forbidden love Leto and his twin sons Zeus in this legend. ‘s wife, Hera, goes crazy as soon as she learns of the betrayal.. It is considered to be the only historical region that escaped from Hera and provided its protection.. Leto, fleeing the wrath of Hera, came to this region.
Eileithya, the goddess of childbirth, wrapped the leaves of the date palm in her arms to listen to Leto’s birth pains and relieve her pain.. After giving birth to her daughter Artemis first, and then after 10 days of labor pains, Apollo gave birth with the help of Artemis.. Artemis is therefore known as the goddess of childbirth.. It is said that he helped with the birth of his brother after his own birth was over.. Today, many date palm trees can be found in the ancient city of Patara, and there is a pond gently flowing through them.. But the strange thing is that there is no opportunity for date palm trees to grow in that region.
Another Myth About Patara
Poseidon, known as the god of the seas, one day got very angry with the people of Lycia and every time he got angry and when it blows, high waves and violent winds blow from the sand to Patara.. Poseidon, who did not stop for weeks and months, the sacrifices and prayers made by the Patara people who felt fear and regret were ineffective.. Finally, the oracles of the city came together and made a decision.. All the women of the Lycian city gathered and filled the beach and started to undress against Poseidon, the god of the seas.. Silence enveloped the city, and it was silenced by the moody waves and fierce winds.. It is said that no waves came to this beach after this legend.
Patara Sand Hill and Beach
The city of Patara has a clean beach with a length of 18 kilometers.. Patara’s sea is the most popular in the region.. The only reason why its name is Patara Beach is the Ancient City of Patara.. It is one of the most important sea tourism destinations.. Since it is the spawning area of Mediterranean turtles, Caretta Carettas, construction is not allowed on the beach.. It is forbidden to place your umbrella on the beach voluntarily.. On the beach where there is a small business in a selected area, the areas with sun loungers and umbrellas are in certain parts, only that part is allowed.. Necessary attention is paid to prevent the extinction of Mediterranean turtles in this region.. In addition, the golden sands on the coast of Patara fly as long as the wind blows, forming many small and large sand dunes.
How to Go to Patara Beach?
It is 16 kilometers from Kalkan town.. Patara beach can be reached via the D400 road.. Transportation is provided between 375 kilometers from Antalya, 80 kilometers from Fethiye and 40 kilometers from Kaş.. You can easily reach with your private vehicle.. You can even get off at Ovaköy with the buses that provide transportation between Kaş and Fethiye and reach the Patara beach after walking for about 4 kilometers or by taxi. or free admission with Müzekart. It is known that the daily visitor entrance fee is around 25 TL.
Visiting Hours of the Ancient City
Patara Ancient City summer period between April 15 and October 2, It is open to visitors between 08:30-19:30.
The city, which serves between October 3 and April 14 in the winter period, is open to visitors between 08:30 and 17:00.
On the first days of religious holidays, visitors are accepted until noon.
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