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Patara
Turkey’s Patara City is a known seaport located on the Mediterranean coast of the country in Antalya province. The sunny city of Patara is a popular tourist destination, whose cultural heritage across the ages provide a wonderful experience of ancient histories aside from a magnificent summer holiday on the beach.
Patara’s seaside location comes from the fact that the city is blessed with a natural harbour, that was said to be founded by Patarus, a son of the Greek god Apollo. In fact, it is no surprise that the city of Patara, in ancient times, was famous for a temple and oracle dedicated to the god Apollo, second only to the celebrated one of Delphi in Greece.
Situated southeast of the mouth of the river Xanthos, modern day Patara was once known by ancient writers as one of the principal cities of Lycia, which was later conquered by the empire of Alexander the Great and then by the Romans and Byzantine empires. There is evidence of its former glories as the principal port for Lycia and an important Roman town can be seen at the extensive site, still not fully excavated.
The city then features numerous ruins as part of the landscape that can easily be visited.
On the outside of the walls there are stone sarcophagi inscribed with ancient languages, within temples, altars and pedestals. Nearby is the theatre, built in the reign of Antoninus Pius, with about 30 rows of seats.
In the heart of the city are the gorgeous white sands of Patara Beach known throughout the country. The landscape of Patara beach is a national park and home to many birds and other fauna. The area is a known breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtles.
Aside from this, Patara's fame also stems as the birthplace of the fourth century St. Nicolas, the original Santa Claus.
