Mediterranean Ancient Cities Series / Patara Ancient City

Fethiye and Kalkan are located between the ancient city of Patara, which is one of the oldest places in Lycia. It is located within the village of Ovagelemiş, which is at one end of the Xanthos Valley. The most accurate answer to the question of how to get to Patara can be given by dolmuşes from Kaş and Kalkan. This city, which is one of the top places to visit in Antalya, let’s take a closer look.

You can access the road map of the ancient city of Patara from here.

Patara

Table of Contents

• 1 History of Patara City
• 2 Patara Ancient City Lighthouse
• 3 The Legend of Artemis and Apollon
• 4 Another Legend About Patara
• 5 Patara Sand Hill and Beach
• 6 How to Get to Patara Beach?
• 7 Visiting Hours of the Ancient City

History of Patara City

Excavations have been carried out by Professor Fahri Işık and his team from Akdeniz University since 1988. Patara Ancient City, in addition to its archaeological excavations, is known as the home of the Caretta-Carettas of the Mediterranean, dating back millions of years. This city is one of the rare beaches where Mediterranean turtles lay their eggs.

In the 13th century before Christ, the city’s name was written as Patar in Hittite writings. This city, where ceramic remains and fragments are found, indicates the Middle Bronze Age. The stones and axe materials found in the remains show that the city dates back to before the Iron Age. When looking at the inscriptions and coins, it is seen that the city’s name is Patara, which belongs to the Lycian language. In the early 2nd century BC, Patara, which was controlled by the Seleucid rule, was seen as the capital. In the early 3rd century BC, Lycia became a leading city under the Ptolemaic government. It was declared the capital in 168 BC. During the Hellenistic period, a theater building was built due to their fondness for council buildings and theater. When Patara fell into the hands of the Roman Empire, it lost its importance during that period. While under the protection of Rome in 43-44 AD, it became a province by uniting with Pamphylia in 73-74 AD. Patara became a port where Europe’s grains were collected and stored. It is an important place for Christians. It is said that Saint Nicholaos, also known as Santa Claus, was from Patara.

With the arrival of the Turks in Patara lands in the Middle Ages, it became an important center. The Roman Victory Arch, which is now the entrance to the ruins, greets its visitors with its grandeur. It was built for the governor of the region in the 100s AD. There are cemetery areas with tombs unique to Lycian architecture. At the farthest point of Patara, there is the Kurşunlu Hill. The theater, which was built leaning against the hill, was destroyed in an earthquake in 147 AD and rebuilt, as revealed by the inscriptions. The most beautiful view of Patara city can be seen from this Kurşunlu Hill. Other structures in the city can be seen clearly. These include the Corinthian temple, ports, grain warehouses, and the Vespasian bath. The grain warehouse behind the swamp seen from the hill is also known as the granarium. It was built by the emperor and his wife in the 2nd century AD. The city’s water comes from the İslamlar village, 20-25 kilometers northeast, and the Kızıltepe rocks. The most monumental place of the waterways is the Delik Kemer, located north of Fırnaz.

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Patara landscape

Patara Ancient City Lighthouse

The Patara ancient city lighthouse, has writings engraved on it with the language of that time. This writing states that the lighthouse was built between 64 and 65 AD. It is known that the lighthouse found in Alexandria, Egypt is the oldest lighthouse in the world, but not a single structure of the lighthouse has survived. The oldest historical lighthouse still standing is found in the city of Lacarunya, Spain. However, it is known that this lighthouse was restored in the 19th century. The lighthouse found in Patara was built 60-65 years before the one found in Spain. Moreover, all the stones of this lighthouse are still standing. It is known that the Roman Emperor Neron had two large lighthouses built in Patara Ancient City about 2-3 thousand years ago. These lighthouses, which showed the way to sailors for centuries, were destroyed by a tsunami. The traces of the tsunami can still be seen on the lighthouse. It is the only lighthouse in the world that has stood for nearly 2-3 thousand years. Currently, it is waiting to be restored.

The Legend of Artemis and Apollon

Apollon, known as the sun god, and Artemis, known as the goddess of hunting and the moon, are the twin children of Zeus, the king of the gods, and his forbidden love Leto. When Zeus’ wife Hera learned of the infidelity, she went mad. The region is considered the only historical area where Leto, fleeing from Hera, found shelter.

Eileithya, the goddess of birth, took pity on Leto’s labor pains and wrapped the leaves of a palm tree around her arms to alleviate her suffering. Leto first gave birth to Artemis, and then, after 10 days of labor, gave birth to Apollon with Artemis’ help. Artemis is therefore also known as the goddess of birth. It is said that after her own birth, she assisted in the birth of her brother. Today, many palm trees can be found in the Patara Ancient City, and a gentle stream runs between them. However, the strange thing is that palm trees cannot grow in that region.

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Another Legend About Patara

It is said that Poseidon, the god of the seas, was once very angry with the people of Lycia and, as he always did when he was angry, sent high waves and harsh winds to Patara. For weeks and months, Poseidon did not relent, and the prayers and vows of the people of Patara had no effect. Finally, the city’s priests made a decision. All the women of the Lycian city gathered on the shore, and as they began to undress, they shamed Poseidon, the god of the seas. The city fell silent, and the rough waves and harsh winds ceased. According to this legend, no waves have reached the shore since then.

Patara ancient

Patara Sand Dune and Beach

The city of Patara has a 18-kilometer-long pristine beach. The most popular spot in the region is Patara’s sea. The only reason it’s called Patara Beach is because of the Patara Ancient City. It is one of the most important destinations for sea tourism. Since it is a breeding ground for Mediterranean turtles, Caretta Carettas, construction is not allowed on the beach. It is forbidden to place your own umbrella on the beach. There are small businesses in a designated area of the beach, and sun loungers and umbrellas are only allowed in certain areas. Necessary precautions are taken in this area to prevent the extinction of Mediterranean turtles. Additionally, the coastal part of Patara has golden-colored sand that flies with the wind, forming many small and large sand dunes.

How to Get to Patara Beach?

It is 16 kilometers away from the town of Kalkan. Patara Beach can be reached via the D400 road. It is 375 kilometers from Antalya, 80 kilometers from Fethiye, and 40 kilometers from Kaş by car. You can easily reach it with your private vehicle. You can also reach Patara Beach by bus, which operates between Kaş and Fethiye, by getting off at Ovaköy and walking approximately 4 kilometers or by taking a taxi.

To enter Patara Beach, which is located within the Patara Ancient City, visitors can pay an entrance fee or use a Museum Card for free entry, just like they would for a museum. The daily entrance fee is around 25 TL.

Ancient city

Visiting Hours of the Ancient City

The Patara Ancient City is open to visitors from April 15 to October 2, between 08:30-19:30, during the summer season.

In the winter season, from October 3 to April 14, the city is open to visitors between 08:30-17:00.

On the first day of religious holidays, visitors are accepted until noon.

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