Patara is situated on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey (also called The Turquoise coast or the “Lycian Coast”). A region boasting thousands of years of history, breathtaking scenery and hundreds of miles of unspoiled coastline.
2000 years ago Patara was the largest and the most important sea port of the Lycian civilisation. According to mythology Apollo was born here and it is also said to be the birthplace of St. Nicholas. The lighthouse that have been discovered recently is said to be the first one known.
PATARA “LYCIAN DEMOCRATIC PARLIAMENT BUILDING”
The ancient parliement building set in Patara seems to change the destiny of village.”If I need to give an example of a perfect confederation republic,I definitely show Lycia”. Montesquieu, De L’Esprit des Lois (1748).
This determination were effective in the formation of the United States Constitution,accepted in 1787.This fact is unerthened in the 1081th page of records of 1776s by saying “the best that ever was made”. Essential arrangements get started to do the celebration of the United States Constitution in upcoming years at Patara ancient parliament building.
LYCIAN WATER-WAY WALK
In the third week of every april, we do a walk on Lycian water way as a traditional organization. Not only the local people, but also governmental people, foreign visitors and ofcourse the mayor of Patara, Arif Otlu, join to this organization.The community of village gives lunch to all participants and little students display a traditional folklore show and also local bards entertain participants with their turkish guitar called “saz”. With a short drive, the journey starts at Delikkemer location, around Ye?ilköy village near Patara, lasts through the water way and finishes at Patara ancient city.
In Patara (also known as Gelemis), life slows to a different pace- where time can be forgotten and where visitors can quicky feel at home. It is an informal place, where friendships between the locals and visitors are easily formed resulting in visitors returning year after year to see old friends.
Patara Beach & Caretta-Carettas
Patara makes an ideal holiday destination. It offers peace, tranquillity and boasts a 15 km long, golden, sandy beach, backed by dunes and the Taurus mountains. Its unique character and perfect location, close to the sea, mountains, gorges, forests and many of the country`s most fascinating archeological sites, make it a perfect base from whish to explore this beautiful part of Turkey.
It’s golden sands backed by the dunes and the Taurus mountains and regularly featured as one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and unspoilt beaches. Due to the strict conversation laws there is not a building to be seen, which is what makes this beach so special, endless golden sands, surrounded by nature.
Patara beach is one of the few remaining beaches in the world, where the Loggerhead turtles still come to lay their eggs between May and October, so measures are in place to ensure that it can be enjoyed by holidaymakers and still remain protected for the turtles.