21.07.2020
5 Dakika
Antalya, captivating visitors with its blend of beach and cultural tourism throughout the year, is home to many enchanting destinations. The Kaş-Kalkan region of Antalya offers the visitors numerous routes. As you descend towards the coast in Kalkan, you'll encounter the Patara Archaeological Site, surrounded by endless sand dunes. This site offers an all-day exploration opportunity, from its long beach, a nesting ground for Caretta caretta sea turtles, to its ancient city filled with the impressive remains of a vibrant past.
Having become the first capital of the Lycian League in the mid-1st century BC and later, in 43 AD, transformed into the Lycian State within the Roman Empire, Patara served as the sole gateway from the Xanthos Valley to the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its geographical location, Patara became a significant city in ancient times. As a port city, it became a center for shipping Anatolian wheat to Rome. The Granarium (or Hadrian's Granary), constructed due to this function of the city, is one of the most popular remaining structures in Patara today. The city also maintained its status as a naval base for many years due to its unique location.
Patara Archaeological Site, listed on UNESCO's Tentative List, houses numerous unique structures. Let's explore some of these historical monuments together.
To start with, there is the magnificent and well-preserved Roman City Gate (Triumphal Arch). Constructed at the end of the 1st century AD during the Roman Empire, this gate is also known as the symbol of Patara today. This structure, which provided access to the ancient city, was also used as part of the water system.
Another significant building in Patara is the Council House, also known as Bouleuterion. The building's architecture is defined by two basic geometric forms: rectangular and semicircular, dating back to the 2nd century BC. It's known to have undergone several renovations during the Roman Empire and also served as an Odeon, a venue for musical performances, with a capacity of approximately 1,400 people. As a symbol of democracy, this building, restored to its former glory, now hosts concerts and performances.
Patara's theater is another noteworthy structure. Built during the Hellenistic Period and further developed during the Roman Empire, the Patara Theater was one of the city's most important centers for art and culture in antiquity. With a capacity of over 5,000 spectators, it even hosted gladiator and wild animal fights in the Late Antiquity.
One of Patara's most impressive structures is the lighthouse, dating back 2,000 years to the time of Emperor Nero. Originally 12 meters tall, only 4.5 meters remain today, yet it still impresses visitors. Inscriptions indicate that Emperor Nero had the lighthouse constructed in 64-65 AD "for the salvation of sailors and sea passengers." This structure stands out as one of the oldest lighthouses to have survived from antiquity to the present day, with ongoing efforts to fully restore the lighthouse to its former glory.
While these are some of the most notable structures in Patara, there are many others worth exploring, including the Corinthian Temple, Tepecik Acropolis, Vespasian Bath, Colonnaded Street, and Patara City Basilica.
Perhaps one of the most striking facts about Patara, a captivating site in the Kaş region of Antalya, is that Saint Nicholas, known as Santa Claus, was actually born and raised in Patara. Saint Nicholas spent his childhood walking the very streets you can visit in Patara today. His tomb and the church where he served as a bishop are located in Demre, near Patara, and have been preserved as the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum, open to visitors.
