Information About Patara
About Patara
Patara, one of the 16 cities of the Lycian League with voting rights, is among the cities besieged by Alexander the Great. In the mythological stories, it is stated that Paturus, the son of Apollo, founded Patara together with the water nymph Lykia. Saint Nicholas, known as Santa Claus, is also said to be from Patara. Patara, which was an important trade center during the Romans period, maintained its importance during the Byzantine period as well. Patara Beach, located on the coast of the Ancient City of Patara, offers a magnificent experience to its visitors with its historical and cultural heritage.
History of Patara
The name of the city is mentioned as Patar in Hittite texts of the 13th century BC. While the pottery sherds recovered from the Tepecik Acropolis contain Middle Bronze Age features, the stone ax from the pre-Iron Age, which was also unearthed on the slopes of the eastern slope of Tepecik, shows how far Patara’s history goes. Patara, which has continued to be an important city throughout history due to being the only place to sail in the Xanthos Valley, is referred to as Patara in the Lycian language in inscriptions and coins.
Patara BC In the 3rd century, when it came under the rule of Ptolemy, it became the leading city of Lycia. BC At the beginning of the 2nd century, when Lycia began to be controlled by the Seleucid Kingdom, Patara was accepted as the capital of Lycia. This situation became official in 167/168 BC, when Patara gained its autonomy against Rome and its independence against Rhodes, and Patara became the capital of the Lycian League. Monumental structures such as the Parliament Building and the Theater built in the Hellenistic Period in the capital show parallelism with this historical process.
According to the Legend
One day, Poseidon, the God of the seas, storms and high waters, was very angry with the Lycians. He was so angry that every time he blew, raging waves began to hurl rains from the sand at Patara. Poseidon hasn’t stopped for days, weeks. The prayers, vows and spells of the Patara people, who were in fear, regret and anxiety, remained in vain. Finally, the great oracles of the city gathered and decided: All the women of Lycia would unite, fill the beach and undress in front of God Poseidon… Lycian women gathered on this beach and began to undress against the waves. And Poseidon was embarrassed, and suddenly there was silence all around. Neither fierce waves, nor sandstorms.
Patara in Every Age
4 Patara, which continued its importance throughout the Middle Ages, has reached the present day as an important center with the arrival of the Turks.
The entrance to the present-day ruins of the city is through the magnificent and well-preserved Roman triumphal arch. On the slopes of the hill to the west of the arch lies the cemetery area with Lycian type sarcophagi. Other ruins of the city; The Vespasian Bath, the Corinthian Temple, the main street, the port and the granary can be easily seen.
The granary (granarium) behind the swamp in the northwest of the hill is one of the monumental structures of Patara that has remained today, and was built by Emperor Hadrian and his wife Sabina in AD. It was built in the 2nd century. To the north of the theater is the Parliament Building, where Patara, the capital of the Lycian League, hosted meetings. The water of the city is about 20 km. It was brought from the rock on the slope of Kızıltepe, near the Islamlar Village in the northeast. Between the source and the city, north of the Fırnaz pier; The section called “Hole Kemer” in the neighborhood is the most monumental part of the waterways.
Patara Beach
Patara Beach, known as one of the most beautiful beaches not only in Turkey but also in the whole world, is located within the borders of Gelemis Village of Kaş district in the westernmost part of Antalya.
Patara Beach, which has a length of approximately 18 kilometers, takes its name from the ancient city of Patara.
How to go to Patara Beach?
Patara Beach is located 15 kilometers from Kalkan. You can reach Patara Beach by using the D400 highway.
You can easily reach Patara Beach, which is 45 kilometers from Kaş, 81 kilometers from Fethiye and 376 kilometers from Antalya, with your personal vehicle.
In addition, you can reach Patara by getting off at Ovaköy by buses running between Fethiye and Kaş, and by walking or taxiing for approximately 3.5 kilometers.
Patara Beach Entrance Fees
Patara Beach is located inside the Ancient City of Patara. For this reason, the entrance to the beach is made as if you are entering the museum. If you have a museum card, you can enter for free. Apart from that, the daily entrance fee is 24 TL.
Patara Beach Sand Dunes
The completely naturally formed sand dunes add a unique atmosphere to Patara Beach. Especially at sunset, you will witness a view on the sand dunes that you cannot see anywhere else.
Caretta Carettas Hosts
Patara Beach, which is one of the most important breeding areas of the caretta caretta sea turtles, which is under the threat of extinction, is under protection by the Natural Life Conservation Foundation.
Patara Beach, which is used alternately between visitors and sea turtles between May 15 and September 15, is used by visitors between 08:00-19:00 and caretta carettas between 19:00-08:00. It is strictly forbidden to use umbrellas and sun loungers in the spawning area of the beach, to enter the beach after 19:00, to make noise, and those who do not comply with the ban are punished with fines.