
The 2020 Year of Patara
The Culture and Tourism Ministry determines a new theme each year, Turkey’s cultural and
historical value of tourism to the forefront. Established as the theme of 2020 by the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism, Patara is waiting for you for a fascinating journey with thousands of years
of history, beach and the oldest parliament building in the world.

Capital of Lycia
Lycian chose the Teke Peninsula in southwest Turkey as abroad, they have brought about a unique culture; they have changed the course of history with their settlements on these beautifulcoasts. Patara, which is one of the most important cities of these lands, is referred to as “Lukka Country” in Egyptian and Hittite sources. The Lycian League was founded in 1668 BC. It was the capital of the Lycian Province, which was founded in 433 AD during the Roman Empire Period, and became a favourite of the whole region with its wealthiness.

The Triumphal Arch
This monument, which we can call the symbol of Patara, is dated to the end of the 1st centuryAD. On the 19-meter long and 10-meter high Arch, there is an inscription honouring the governor and family of the period. Another importance of the Arch, which is the symbol of the entrance to the city, is that Patara is a significant part of the canal system that meets the water needs.

Oldest Lighthouse Survived
The lighthouse, which was built by Patara Port by Emperor Nero 2 thousand years ago, has the title of “the oldest lighthouse that has managed to survive until today”. The lighthouse is approximately 500 meters from the shore due to the harbour being filled with sand. The original of which is 12 meters and reaching about 4.5 meters today. The inscription on it says that it was built in the years’ AD 65 or 65 for the salvation of the sailors.

Archaic City

Santa was Born Here
Although the settlement, which is most commonly identified with St. Nicholas known all over the world as Santa Claus, is Demre, where he is a bishop and has his church and tomb; Patara is the place where St. Nicholas was born and spent most of his life. Also, Saint Paul, who assumed one of the most critical roles in the spread of Christianity, boarded the ship here to go to Rome. One of the events that showed the importance of Patara, the bishopric center in the Byzantine Period, was the participation of the Patara bishop in the name of Lycia to the Iznik Council where decisive decisions were taken in terms of Christianity.

Marks of Ancient City
One of the structures that the visitors show the most interest in Patara Ruin is “Granarium”, which is one of the proofs that the cereals to be sent from Anatolia to Rome were built here. The “Palace” in the Tepecik Acropolis, which is the oldest settlement in Patara, “Assembly Building” where the Lycian Union meetings were held, “Theater” for 5,000 people, “Corinthian Temple”, “Vespasian Bath” and “Street with Columns” were lost by some of the sands. Few of the ruins that can be seen in the ancient city.

Ship of the Ancient Period: Abora-IV
The ancient ship replica Abora-IV, 4 m long and wholly made of cane, was brought to Patara Ancient Port in 2019 for the exhibition. German archaeologist Dr. The ship, designed by Dominique Görlitz and built with the shipping techniques of the ancient period, continues to be exhibited in the ancient city of Patara.

The Desert-looking Beach
The 12 km long Patara beach, which takes the splendour of Patara Ancient City, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is standing out with its golden, soft, and desert-like appearance sands, Patara beach is one of the most important nesting areas of endangered caretta carettas in the world.