Hobby archeology in Fethiye Turkey for young and old visitors

Fethiye, a city in the Aegean region, lies at the foot of the Mendos Dagi, a foothill of the south-western Taurus Mountains and thus in south-west Turkey. The port city with its old town is a very versatile holiday destination. Because amateur archeology can also be practiced here by young and old.

Changeful history and many finds

The reason for this is the numerous excavation sites around the city. This is thanks to the long history that the city can look back on. The city was first mentioned under the name of Kuwalapassi in a Hittite text from the 13th century BC. B.C., but not again until the 5th century B.C. under her Lycian name Telebehi. In the year 334 BC The city was finally captured by the troops of Alexander the Great and then came under the rule of the Ptolemies and later became part of the Kingdom of Pergamum. In the 8th century the city was finally under Byzantine rule and from 1284 the Ottomans ruled here. Many excavated pieces are now in museums. But also on site, where the excavations once took place, you can see crowds of tourists – young and old. Since 1987, many excavated pieces can be admired in a museum. There you can easily give the hobby archaeologists information behind glass panes and, above all, an insight into the history of this region in Turkey. In one of the museums, vacationers can even admire an old loom and a trilingual stele. Visitors are also shown sarcophagi such as those of the Psidia type and the Izraza tomb.

Rock tombs and Johanniterburg

If visitors to Fethiye want to explore archeology themselves, it is above the city center where the Rock Tombs are located. These can be visited and are considered the main attraction of the region. The rock tombs date from Lycian times and are carved into the rock walls. There are simple chamber tombs and also entrances that have temple facades. The tomb of Amyntas from the 4th century BC. BC is one of the rock tombs that should definitely be examined a little closer, especially if you are a visitor to the city and interested in archeology and the history of the city or region. Also on rocks above the city is the Acropolis Plateau. Here are the ruins of the Johanniterburg, which was built in the 15th century by knights of the Rhodian Order of St. John.

Other sights of the city

Unfortunately, large parts of the old town of Fethiye were destroyed in an earthquake in 1957 that shook large parts of this region in Turkey. Reconstruction was pushed ahead, but was of a more expedient nature. The port and the bazaar district are now more touristy. There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants here. In the old town area, however, the traditional Eski Hamam, which dates back to the 16th century, and the old mosque Eski Cami were spared from the earthquake and its destructive force. Also an earthquake in the region, that of 1856, buried the ruins of the Hellenistic theater. This was largely uncovered again by archaeologists in the 1990s. Again, this is a place for those who are into amateur archaeology.