Which story does Fethiye whisper to those who pause long enough to listen? Fethiye is a place of contrasts. It is a municipality in Turkey. Fethiye is also a district of Mugla Province. The area spans 875 square kilometers. In 2022, the population was 177,702. Fethiye is a prominent tourist destination. It is located on the Turkish Riviera.
Once known as Makri, Fethiye sits on the site of ancient Telmessos. Ruins of that ancient city are still visible. You can see the Hellenistic theatre by the main quay.
A Lycian legend tells of Apollo falling in love. He loved Agenor’s youngest daughter. Apollo disguised himself as a dog. He won the shy daughter’s love. Later, he reappeared as a man. They had a son named Telmessos. Telmessos means “the land of lights”.
The city became part of the Persian Empire in 547 BC. This happened after Harpagos’ invasion. Telmessos joined the Attic-Delos Union in the mid-5th century BC. Later, it left the union. Still, it kept relations until the 4th century BC.
Little is known about Fethiye during Byzantine times. Buildings suggest prosperity in late Antiquity. Most were abandoned in the 7th-8th centuries. This was due to the Arab-Byzantine Wars. The city was fortified in the 8th century. Around 800 AD, it was called “Telmissos or Anastasioupolis”. By the 10th century, the old name was forgotten. It became known as Makre. Makre means “long one”. The name came from the island at the harbor’s entrance. The city walls were enlarged in the 12th-13th centuries. In 1106, Makre was a center for perfume production. The area fell to the Turks in the late 12th or early 13th century.
Telmessos was ruled by the Menteşe beylik starting in 1284. It was called Beskaza. In 1424, it became part of the Ottoman Empire. It was called Meğri until 1934.
From 1867 to 1922, Meğri was part of the Aidin Vilayet. The town grew in the 19th century. It had a large Greek population. After the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, the Greeks of Makri went to Greece. They founded Nea Makri. The town was resettled with Turks from Greece.
In 1934, the city was renamed Fethiye. It honored Captain Fethi Bey. He was one of the first pilots of the Ottoman Air Force. He died in a plane crash in 1914.
Fethiye has endured many earthquakes. The 1957 earthquakes caused many casualties. About 90% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed. The town has been rebuilt with a modern harbor and marina.
Fethiye offers a rich history. It also has natural beauty. The Fethiye Museum displays artifacts from past civilizations.
Some historical sites are worth visiting. These are Kadyanda, Kayaköy, Afkule, Gemiler and Aya Nikola. Fethiye is home to the Tomb of Amyntas. This large tomb was built in 350 BC by the Lycians.
Popular tourist towns include Ölüdeniz and Çaliş Beach area. Others are Hisarönü and Ovacık. Butterfly Valley is also in the Fethiye district. Kızıada Island is a popular stopover for boat tours.
Fethiye has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are mild and rainy.