Not far from Kalkan, Patara is one of the Mediterranean coasts most idyllic spots and a point where a beach and an ancient city meet. The beach was voted one of the best in the world by Times Online, and the recently restored ruins of Letoon home not only the oldest lighthouse in the world but also the building where democracy first flourished. 

Patara Beach

Türkiye’s dramatic coastline boasts a wealth of fantastic beaches. Some are pebbly, others sand – and Patara is just that; it’s a 12 km protected stretch of glorious fine sand with more than enough space to find a quiet place to escape the tourists. The area was once the busy Lycian port of Patara, and the large marsh area visible to one side is all that remains of this once-thriving ancient port. Centuries of wind ensured sand reclaimed the shoreline leaving even the lighthouse many meters inland. It’s now a protected area and an important breeding ground for endangered loggerhead turtles, known locally as “Caretta, Caretta”, that lay their eggs in the sand at night.

The Ancient City of Letoon

For explorers, the ancient ruins of Letoon lie just behind the beach, a 15-minute walk back from the front. This site was one of the most important religious centres in Ancient Lycia and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It dates back to the 6th century BC and has a long and fascinating history – so do LET US KNOW if you would like us to arrange a private guide and tour.  

Highlights of Patara and Letoon

Last year (2020) was designated the Year of Patara in Türkiye to honour the importance of the area and the ancient site. Patara is, without doubt, one of the Turkish coasts most impressive sandy beaches with more than enough space to escape the crowds, so a worthy pitstop on your travels along the coast. 

Patara was once the main port for the Lycians, and its harbour was a safe haven for passing ships. It was a city of significant size, where holy men and traders met, and thousands lived until the shifting sand reclaimed the port, reducing it to little more than marshland. The site was finally abandoned in the 13th century, leaving it to crumble and ruin until restoration began in the last few decades.  

Letoon is one of Türkiye’s largest ancient sites and now one of the countries most impressive. It takes a few hours to explore the ruins in detail, best experienced with a knowledgeable private guide who can talk you through the history (ASK US FOR DETAILS). In the meantime, here are a few of the main highlights: 

The Three Temples

Three temples are present at Letoon dedicated to Leto, Apollon and Artemis:

• Leto temple lies to the west and is where an inscription was found written in three languages. The writings gave archaeologists an essential insight into Lycian life, and the original is now safely exhibited in the Fethiye Museum.  
• Apollo temple is located to the east of the site and contained a mosaic describing Artemis’ arrow. It is known as the “Apollon Mosaic” and is again displayed in the Fethiye Museum to protect it from the elements.
• Artemis temple is the smallest of the three temples and is located between the two. 

The Ancient Theatre

The impressive ancient theatre at Letoon dated back to the 2nd century BC and was only fully reclaimed from the dunes back in 2002. It has now been restored and can once again entertain spectators with performances and shows throughout the year. 

The Main Street

The column lined flagstone main street was once the city’s trading hub, lined with businesses, shops, and even a brothel. It leads to many of the main highlights of Letoon and has been partly restored.

The Council Building (Bouleuterion)

Now tastefully restored with a protective glass floor over the original marble floor, the council building was one of the most important sites in ancient Lycia. It was here that the Lycian League used to gather. Historians recognised this league as the first example of representative democracy, and some even suggest that the writers of the United States constitution even used the Lycian League as a reference. 

The Lighthouse

It was the Roman Emporer Nero that commissioned the lighthouse at Letoon in 54 AD. It once sat close to the sea, but sand reclaimed the shoreline over the centuries and buried its foundations, and earthquakes caused much of the building to crumble. The structure predates the Tower of Hercules by 60 years, which will make it the oldest working lighthouse in the world once restoration is complete.

ARRANGE A PRIVATE TOUR AROUND LETOON 

Letoon offers a mesmerising insight into the past and is a great location to pop on your yachting itinerary if you have history lovers onboard. If you would like to add Patara beach or a visit to the ancient city of Letoon to your cruising itinerary, please CONTACT US.