PATARA FLOWER PENSION - FLOWER HOTEL APARTMENT - PATARA BEACH - PATARA HOTELS

We are mentioned in:

• Michael Müller Verlag Turkei
• Rough Guide to Turkey
• Lonely Planet Guide to Turkey
• La Guide Routard

Currently in Patara

PATARA - ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

Patara is in the heart of the Lycian region, a region boasting thousands of years of history, breathtaking scenery and hundreds of kilometres of unspoiled coastline. 2000 years ago Patara was the largest and most important sea port of the Lycian civilization. According to Mythology Apollo was born here and it is also recorded as the birthplace of St. Nicholas.

As the principle port on the coast of Lycia, Patara has a long history. Excavations are slowly bringing the city’s ancient history to light. The finding of coins and ceramic fragments, during excavations, date the city to at least 7th century BC.

Patara had a three vote right in the Lycian league, as did the cities of Xanthos, Tlos, Olympos and Myra. The league generally held its league conferences in Patara, which was its harbour as well, Patara, which didn’t lose its importance during the Roman Empire, was also the seat of the Roman provincial governor, who turned it into a port from which the Roman fleet maintained contact with the eastern provinces. In the meantime Patara was the harbour where crops harvested in Anatolia were stored and kept for shipment to Rome. The large grain stores built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian are still standing.

During the Roman period, Patara became the capital of both the Lycian and Pamphylian provinces, it also became famous as one of Apollo’s soothsaying centres. Patara’s oracle at the renowned temple of Apollo was said to rival that at Delphi and the temple equalled the reputation of the famous temple on the island of Delos. It was believed that omens were interpreted during the winter in Patara and the summer in Delos. A large bust of Apollo, discovered on the hillside, beyond the city gate, indicates the existence of an Apollo temple, which is yet to be found.
During the Byzantine period, Patara again lost none of its importance and became a Christian centre of some significance. It is known for being a place of St.Paul’s missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. Patara is also the birthplace of St. Nicholas, who was born to a wealthy family from Patara and later went on to become Bishop of Myra.

The old city now forms part of a protected area (along with the beach). The site is fascinating and well worth a few hours exploration. Excavations carry on each year, under the close direction of Professor Fahir Iþik from the university of Antalya. Discoveries so far include: a magnificent theatre, an amazing main street, baths, temple agora, granary, many sargophogii, a bouleutrion (government building, which has received a lot of press coverage), the magnificent triumphal arch and located at the harbour entrance, what is reputed to be one of the oldest lighthouses in the world.

ST. NICHOLAS

Around 300Ad, during a prosperous era for Patara, a rich wheat merchant had a son and named him Nicholas. Many years later after the death of his father Nicholas inherited a large estate and decided to use it to aid the poor. At around the same time, one Patara’s wealthiest men fell into poverty to such an extent that he lacked the means even to gather dowries for his daughters. He felt so desperate that he even considered selling his daughters. Nicholas decided to help them – he entered their house secretly in order to remain annonymous and spare the family’s honour. While they were sleeping, he crept in through an open window and left a bag of gold, to cover the dowry of the eldest daughter. Later he then helped the two younger daughters in the same way, but as the windows were closed he dropped the small sacks of gold down the chimney. The small bags of gold landed in their shoes which were drying infront of the fireplace. This is one of the many stories that started the legend of St. Nicholas delivering gifts to children. Now on the 6th December every year, children in many countries in Northern Europe eagerly await a visit from St.Nicholas leaving small gifts in their shoes. At St. Nicholas church in Myra (Turkey) there is a church ceremony every year on the 6th December.