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Patara: The cradle of civilizations
Patara: The cradle of civilizations
The ancient city of Patara, which was confirmed to exist in the eighth century, is one of the oldest settlements of the Lycian Union and also its capital city. (Photos: Alamy)
In the ancient city, which is thought to cover an area of 10 square kilometers, excavations and restoration works have been conducted for many years under the direction of Professor Havva İşkan Işık.
Dozens of unique historical monuments have been unearthed in the UNESCO World Permanent Heritage site, the only place in the Xanthos Valley that can be opened to the sea.
Patara, where St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was born and grew up, also has the oldest parliament building in the world, where the Lycian Union met the representatives of the cities. Patara was the capital of the Lycian civilization for a long time.
The ancient city is home to an amphitheater, historic lighthouse, main street, Turkish baths, Roman triumphal arch, Tepecik cemetery, basilica and various temples.
Also, the Patara Parliament Building, known as the world’s oldest democratic parliament building, has been restored and opened to visitors.
In the ancient city, a Viking sword, estimated to date back to the ninth or 10th century, was also found in the excavations in 2018.
The Neron Lighthouse, built by Roman Emperor Neron in 64-65 A.D., is the oldest lighthouse in the world.
The restoration process of the 26-meter lighthouse continues, and a relief of a 2,000-year-old dolphin depiction was unearthed on the stones of the lighthouse.
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