Patara Antik Kenti

Kas may be compared to a large treasure chest that is hard to explore thoroughly. In the treasure chest, patara is the stone with the highest value and holds more than simply a beach.

The ancient city of Patara, which belonged to the Lycian Civilization, is very important historically and culturally. It is situated 17 kilometers from Kalkan and 14 kilometers from Kas on the Kas-Fethiye route, close to the town of Gelemish. This city, also sometimes referred to as the birthplace of St. Nicholas, is the origin of the Santa Claus custom.

The Patara city ruins, situated among the remnants of Roman civilization, are the first thing you see as you look out over the mesmerizing Mediterranean Sea. It remained influential throughout the Roman era as a port linking Rome to the eastern provinces and as the home of the provincial governor of Rome.

Things to do at Patara Antik Kenti:

• Feel intimidated by the night of ruins as you enter: The Modestus Victory Arch leads to the ancient city of Patara. It boasts of excellent architectural flair and is said to have been constructed in the second century CE as a monument to the local governor. The arch extends toward the eastward necropolis, which has sarcophagi designed in the Lycian manner.

• Look out for subjects that convey traditionalistic life from the past: The Granarium is a grain storage facility located northwest of Patara, behind the marsh. It was used to store grain that was transferred outside or brought into the city on ships because there was no direct connection between it and the city. It is one of the most amazing ancient structures still standing today.

• Click a panoramic photo of the lighthouse that is time-honored: The Roman Emperor Nero purchased the Nero Lighthouse in 64 or 65 CE. It is a historic lighthouse. These two 12-meter-tall lighthouses, which stood at the two entrances to the Patara port, are now surrounded by sand.

• Visit the largest church in the region: The Basilica Church can be seen west of the road connecting Gelemis Village to the seaside and south of the harbor baths. It is essential for understanding the early Christian and Byzantine eras in Lycia and Patara.

• Take lessons in architecture and social sciences as you visit the Bouleuterion: The Lycian League's member cities' representatives once met at Patara's Bouleuterion, the world's oldest parliament building. The walls are 17 meters high and built of local limestone. There are 1400 seats in the structure and entrance to get to the top row. This building has a little orchestra in the center coated in marble, and a stage has been constructed in front of it. The meetings were presided over here and attended by the Roman Governor; trade operations were often discussed.

• Marvel at the charm of Roman Theater: The theater lies adjacent to Kursunlu Hill at the city's southernmost point. It has characteristics that are typical of the Hellenistic Period. Sand from the coast has blown into the theatre, and it is one of the best places to see Patara from a height.

• Gauge the efficiency of defense strategies of ancient civilizations: Tepecik is said to be the center of the city's defense, with views of the harbor. It is a 30-meter-high natural protrusion of rocky terrain located east of the famous bay.

• The location vividly communicates its history as you move around it: The Vespasian Baths are said to be Anatolia's oldest bathhouses and date around 60 CE. The Vespasian Baths comprise the Central Bath, Harbor Bath, Nero Bath, and Small Bath structures.

• Observe maritime infrastructure: Another impressive building in Patara is the tower of the Ottoman Wireless Telegraph Station, which was built in 1905. The port where St. Paul boarded his ship for Rome is a stopping point on Christian pilgrimage itineraries.