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Patara (Ovagelemiþ)
Once a
principle harbour of ancient Lycia, Patara was the birthplace of Apollo,
according to Greek legend. This village covering a wide area on the
eastern part of the harbour is 41km from Kas and has one of the best
beaches in the area, a white goldenstretch around 20km long. Patara gained
importance during the Byzantine period, because it was the birthplace of
St Nicholas, the 4th century bishop better known as his other identity,
Santa Claus. St Paul, one of Christ’s disciples, boarded a shipfrom Patara
to Rome. The ruins lie 1km from the beach, and include several Lycian
tombs, a basilica, Corinthian temple and a theatre. Access is possible by
dolmus from most adjacent towns, although not at night. The Lycian Roman
monuments can be seen when entering Patara. From the Vespasianus Hamam,
constructed between 69 – 79 AD, the adjacent footpath reaches the main,
marble-covered street of Patara. At the end of the street are the wide
walls of theByzantine Castle, and east of that is the Corynth Temple.
Patara Theatre, built in the 2nd century BC, is at the foot of the hill
and had a capacity for around 10,000 people. It was filled with wind-swept
sand but after cleaning revealed its structure, and archaeological
excavations are still continuing. The beach is one of the longest in
Turkey, with a width of up to 1500m. Declared a Special Environmental
Preservation Region by the Ministry of the Environment, it is a major
breeding area for the caretta-caretta sea turtles, and during
thereproductive season there are strictly applied restrictions to preserve
their habitat.
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