City Of Fethiye
The ancient city of Telmessos, now Fethiye is located on the southern coast of Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of Turkey's well-known tourist centres due to its appeal. The city is worth the visit and especially during the summer, when the weather is very favourable for many activities like sightseeing, water sports or just enjoying of its golden beaches. 
Fethiye as one of the main tourist centres in Turkey has much to offer to the visitors. Its geographical situation along the Mediterranean coast, the climate conditions and its historical and cultural heritage contrast making of Fethiye a place where one can enjoy of the nature and the history at the same time.
This ancient town originally was occupied by Lycians, and then came the Carians, the Romans, and finally the Ottomans. Although, Telmessos (as was known in the antique times) perhaps had its origins during the Trojan War, but there are no evidence of this fact.
Fethiye is famous for boasting a stunning landscape of rocky cliffs and pine forests meeting with the turquoise sea, as well as golden beaches and exquisite remains of ancient civilizations. The main attractions of Fethiye are the rock tombs carved into the faces of the cliffs by the Lycians, the Lycian Sarcopaghi, the fortress and the roman theatre.
Around Fethiye there are fantastic places with ancient ruins of different periods of its history and lovely landscapes to enjoy. The Blue Lagoon (Oludeniz) offers beautiful scenery with golden beaches and crystal waters ideal for swimming and other water sports.
FETHIYE HISTORY
Fethiye or Telmessos as was known in the ancient times was an important harbour in the Lycian and Karyan border. Although there are no documented evidences, it is believed that this area dates back as far back as the Trojan War. According to Philosophical facts the city was born in the 6 century B.C. The origin of his name “Telmessos” is explained with a Lycian legend that says that in the early years of the Trojan War, the Lycian god Apollo falls in love with the timid daughter of the King of Finike, Agenor. To attract to the girls, Apollo disguises himself as a small a lovable dog, once the girl was attracted, the god revealed its real appearance and seduced her. As a result of that love was born Telmessos, and in his honour was founded the city of Telmessos.
During the Lycian times the city was called Telebehi, as it can be seen in the translations of the Lycian language of the coins found, that were minted in the 5th century.
Telemessos was invaded by the Persian King Harpagos in 547 B.C. and annexed to the Delian Confederation like the other Lycian and Carian cities. In the tribute list of this time Telmessos appear as an independent city and is listed separately of the other Lycian cities. During the reign of the Lycian Pericles the region was besieged in the 4th century and fells under the Lycian sovereignty. There are two versions of how the city was captured by Alexander the Great in his invasion of Anatolia during the winter of 334-333 B.C., one of they mention that the city has surrender to him for its own will, an the second mention that was invaded by the commander Nekros, who having asked the permission of Antipatrides, the governor of the city, to enter with his musicians and slaves, captured the city in the festivities held in the night with the guns that were hidden in flutes and boxes.
In 189 B.C. Romans passed the city to the sovereignty of Eumenes, the King of Bergama (Pergamun). After the end of Pergamene Kingdom, the city returned to the Romans power and included in the Roman province of Asia. At the ends of the 1st century the city become as member of the Lycian League and shared the fate of the other Lycian cities. During the Byzantine times the city had some importance until the Arabics raids in the 7th century. In the 8th century the city was renamed Anastasiapolis in honour of Anastasius II and afterwards took the name of Makri, which meant 'far city' in Greek. During the Ottoman period, the city was renamed to Megri, and finally took its actual name of Fethiye in commemoration to the first Turkish pilot, Fethi Bey in 1934.
|