Patara Ancient City Patara Ancient City, located at the southwestern edge of the Xanthos Valley, is an important archaeological site in Lycia, positioned 40 km west of Kaş and 200 km away from Antalya's city center. Beyond its historical significance, it is also a renowned beach where caretta-caretta turtles have been nesting for millions of years. Historical documents from the 13th century BCE highlight Patara as a key trading center. The Tepecik Acropolis, originating from the Middle Bronze Age, holds numerous ceramic relics from that era. Additionally, stone axes found on the slopes of Tepecik, dating back earlier than 1000 BCE, confirm the ancient heritage of Patara. During the Byzantine era, Patara rose in prominence and became a key hub for Christians. It is famously known as the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, the figure who inspired Santa Claus. Throughout the Middle Ages, Patara remained influential and saw the arrival of Turkish settlers from Anatolia who founded a lasting community there. The ruins of Patara Ancient City include many impressive structures, such as the Roman Victory Gate, which dates back to the late 1st century AD. Visitors can also explore the remains of the Temple of Athena situated on the hill, along with the nearby theatre, basilica, and other temples. Patara wielded considerable political influence as one of the six cities granted three votes in the Lycian Union, likely being its most prominent member. This union was an alliance of 12 cities, including Patara. Archaeological digs have revealed what might be the world's oldest known parliament, believed to date back to approximately 3200 BC, potentially making it the earliest form of democracy, attributed to the Lycians. Alongside this remarkable find, archaeologists uncovered a 2000-year-old lighthouse at the ancient Roman harbor of Patara, which is considered to be possibly the oldest surviving lighthouse structure. This lighthouse, measuring 12 meters in height, was built during the reign of Emperor Nero, who governed from 54 to 68 AD. Patara Ancient City is a priceless archaeological treasure in Turkey and was added to UNESCO's tentative list in 2009. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply send us a message on WhatsApp, and we will get back to you promptly.