Patara

Patara was the major port of Lycia, located at the mouth of the Xanthos River, until it silted up and turned into a malaria-plagued marsh.

Patara was a very wealthy city due to trade and was one of the six principal cities of Lycia. Following its capture by Alexander the Great it became an important naval base as well. Patara’s oracle at the renown temple of Apollo (not yet found) was said to rival that at Delphi and the temple equaled the reputation of the famous temple on the island of Delos. It was believed that Apollo lived at Delos during the summer but spent his winters at Patara Omens were interpreted in these two towns during the respective seasons.

In a hymn attributed to Homer in the honour of Apollo, Apollo is mentioned with both Lycia and Delos:
(ll. 179-181) O Lord, Lycia is yours and lovely Maeonia and Miletus, charming city by the sea, but over wave-girt Delos you greatly reign your own self.

In Christian history Patara is famous for being a place of St. Paul’s missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships on route to Jerusalem. Patara was also the birthplace of St. Nicholas (c.300 AD), bishop of Myra and the future Santa Claus.

One (of many) legends about Patara tells that a Spanish girl was carrying of patara a bow of cakes  which she intended to give to Apollo. She dropped the bowl and it floated ashore to the city, giving it its name.

The structures at Patara now visible include a splendid Roman-type triple-arched triumphal arch in excellent condition, many sarcophagi, a bath complex, Byzantine basilica, amphitheatre and the large Granary of Hadrian. Much of Patara remains undiscovered, buried in the shifting sand, including the famous Temple of Apollo. However, some very exciting excavations have been going on over the past year revealing many structures previously hidden by the dunes.

Patara beach should not be missed with its gorgeous landscape and great swimming. It is a national park and home to many birds, also the breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle. The beach is an 18 kilometer-long strip of sand bordered on its ends by mountains and along its length by sand dunes and the large marshy area which once was the celebrated port of Patara.