Town, southwestern Turkey. It lies along a sheltered bay in
the eastern part of the Gulf of Fethiye on the Mediterranean Sea that
is backed by the western Taurus ranges. Fethiye's enlarged port is an
outlet for the minerals and timber of the region. The hinterland is a major
center of chromium mining. Fethiye stands on the site of the ancient
Lycian city of Telmessus, whose remains include spectacular rock tombs and
sarcophagi dating from the 5th-4th century BC. Other landmarks include a
ruined Byzantine fortress on the summit of a nearby hill. Much of the town is
new, having been rebuilt after a disastrous earthquake in 1958. Picturesquely
situated with several Lycian sites nearby, notably Xanthus, Fethiye is
a growing tourist center linked by sea with Izmir and Istanbul.
Fethiye is a pretty town at the hillsides of the Mount Mendos,
the part of the Tourus Mountain chains, and surrounds the bay that it has
given its name to. The high mountain range formed by rises and falls of the
crust during the Tertiary Geological Period, and hundreds of bays lying at
the mountainside seem to embrace each other along the Fethiye shore line. This
mountain range (it was called the Kragos and Antikragos in the antique period)
with an altitude of more than 6560 feet (2000m.) forms the southwest end of
the Toros (Taurus) chain and lies parallel to the shore without a single
passage to the inner regions. On a warm and sunny winter day, peculiar to the
Mediterranean climate while you are sipping at your Turkish tea or Turkish
coffee, at one of the local tea gardens, along the coast, these mountains with
pine trees at their skirts, white snow and mist on their summits will once
more welcome you to heaven. Dry, long, hot summers and short, warm, rainy
winters are climatic characteristics of Fethiye . The temperature which is
around 86-105 F (30-40 C) during the summer, is usually above 50 F (10 C) in
the winter. Considering the fact that in these turquoise-colored seas that in
no season falls below 60 F (16 C) swimming is possible for nine months of the
year, we might as well conclude that there are only two seasons in Fethiye :
Spring and Summer!
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Due to the prevailing climatic conditions in the region, pine
forests consisting of silver fir, Scotch fir, and Norway spruce cover the
place. Olive, laurel, myrtle, acacia, plane tree, and popular trees are some
other types that you can find in this rich flora. the frankincense tree (Liquidamber
Orientalis) which is the source of myrrh widely used in the pharmaceutical and
cosmetics industries, is among the rare species in the world. This plant has
survived for 10 million years and has remained in existence since before the
ice ages is cultivated only around Fethiye and Koycegiz and in a small
district of California. You may reach this natural and historical heaven that
God has donated to nature by any of one of the land, air, or sea courses that
you chose. You could have a comfortable journey to Fethiye by the three
highways through the pine forests, with connections to Mugla, Antalya and
Burdur. Scheduled bus trips in all three directions provide the link between
Fethiye and other cities. The nearest center for air travel is the Dalaman
Airport 31 miles (50 kms.) to Fethiye. In addition to the year round Istanbul
- Izmir - Ankara and Antalya connected flights of Turkish Airlines, there are
direct flights to all major cities in Europe, Asia and America. During the
touristic season, Fethiye's having the fourth largest seaport after Iskenderun,
Mersin and Antalya provides great ease of marine travel. The naturally
protected harbor is a drop-by place for all yacht crews.
CYANEAE
Cyaneae is a Greek name meaning "dark blue". It is not known why the city
was given this name. It is certain however, that this was one of Lycia's
important cities, given it strategic location and its large settlement area.
Although it is listed by almost all the ancient geographers, they give no
information at all about it. What little knowledge we have comes from a few
inscriptions. One of these concerns a wealthy citizen ofs Cyaneae named Jason.
During the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) Jason is found
donating money to the region's cities and receiving the title of Lyciarches,
or chairman of the Lycian League.
The city, situated atop a steep hill rising to the north of today's village
of Yavu, is enclosed on three sides by fortification walls. Only on the south,
where natural barriers make access difficult, did the residents not feel the
need for fortifications. These walls, which for the most part date to later
periods, are of poor construction, employing re-used materials gathered from
here and there. Three standing gates on the north and west walls gave entrance
to the city.
Hidden among trees and brush on a hill that can be called the acropolis,
are structural remains. A Roman bath, consisting of compartments whose
function is not yet known, can be seen in the south-west section of the hill.
A little further on ıs a splendid fourth century B.C. sarcophagus, still
partially buried, with a relief-carved lid a body inscribed in Lycian.
Cyaneae's best preserved structure is its second century A.D. theatre on
the west of the acropolis. Set in a natural slope, the cave, which rises on
small polygonal blocks, numbers eleven tiers of seats, and probably held
wooden supports for awnings unfurled to protect the spectators from the sun.
The stage is in such a poor state of preservation that it yields no clue as to
its construction.
On the path between the theatre and the acropolis is the necropolis area
containing hundreds of sarcophagi. Here one feels one has returned to an
ancient era. Almost all of the sarcophagi which exist here, and a variety of
forms not seen elsewhere in Lycia, are Roman in character.
Rock-cut tombs of early date are located on difficult to reach cliffs on
the southern face of the hill. A tomb resembling a simple lonic temple is
especially interesting. According to the Greek inscription on its door, the
actual sarcophagus belonged to one Perpenesis and his wife, while the
remainder of the tomb was divided among their relatives. The inscription also
states that the tomb was not to be opened without the consent of the mindis,
apparently an official organization that protected the tombs from vandalism
and robbery. The tomb has been dated to the third century B.C.