Patara / Gelemiş

Patara

Patara is an important Lycia city and also it becomes capital city of Lycia Union. It is one of six cities of Lycia Union. It is one of six cities of Lycia Union, having three voting rights. Cities, located in Lycia Union, are used to organize their meetings in the council building of union in Patara. Patara, which is also an important port city, is known as Patar in Hittite language; it is known as Pattara in Lycia language. Findings, obtained from excavations, which are made in the city, show that settlements here date back B.C. 8th Century. City is knowns as prophecy center of Apollo, fulfilling prophecy function only in the winter. Furthermore, it is said that god Apollo was born in Patara. Patara is also very important city in Roman period and becomes capital city of Lycia-Pamphilia states. Patara port has importance in terms of cereal warehouses and its shipment. One of 3 cereal warehouses, located in Eastern Mediterranean Region in Roman period, is located in Patara. City, which also maintains its development in Byzantine  period, is consecrated by Christian people. St. Nicholaos, who is known as “Father Christmas”, is from Patara. As Patara port starts to fill with sand in the course of time and boars have difficulty in approaching, Patara loses its importance. It attracts attention that great part of remains to be seen in the city, are under the sand today. Gate with three eyes is protected will in the entrance of city, is constructed in A.D. 100. According to the epigraph on it, there were busts of people, belonging to family of Lycia’s Roman Governor Metius  Modestus on six cantilevers in two sides of the gate. After it is passed through this gate, there are Roman baths, Christianity period basilica and Vespasianus (A.D. 69-79) baths. Theatre, which is covered by sands partially, belongs to middle of A.D. 2nd Century. Known biggest assembly building of ancient period in Anatolia is located in the north of theatre. Lighthouse Remains are situated in the west of city. Careal warehouse, which is called Gargarium and belongs to period of emperor Hadrian (118-137), reaches today in a very well protected position, in the west of port, which is march in these days. Furthermore, Byzantine Church, Port Bath, Marciana Tomb, temple remains, Port Basilica, agora remains are some of the old structure remains in the ancient city. Excavations in Patara ancient city is carried out by Prof. Dr.  Fahri Işık from Akdeniz University.

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