Patara
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Patara and where to find it?
These are the ruins of an ancient city in the south of Turkey, in the province of Antalya, near the village of Helemish. Once Patara was the main port and capital of the Lycian Union - now people wander here among stones instead of ships.
What is this place famous for historically?
Patara was founded in the VIII-VII centuries BC, and it flourished under the Romans in the I-II centuries. There was a glorious sanctuary of Apollo with an oracle that was listened to throughout the Greek world.
What is worth seeing in the ruins?
The theater is the best-preserved, and there is also the triumphal arch of Matthias Modest, Hadrian's granary, thermal baths and boulevard. A separate point of interest is the lighthouse from the middle of the 1st century, the oldest in these parts.
Any surprising fact about Patara?
It was here that St. Nicholas was born and studied - the same one who later turned into Santa. So, formally, this is the homeland of the grandfather with a bag of gifts.
And where is the harbor itself, if it was the main port?
The harbor is no longer there - the sea level has changed, and now there is a swamp in its place. So the sea port will have to be drawn in the imagination.
