The ruins of Patara consist of the large Hadrian granary, the city’s triumphal arch, a theater with a long inscription, a sixth or seventh century Christian basilica, Lycian and Roman tombs, the baths, and a temple to Apollo. One of the chief centers of the worship of Apollo was here as was also the famous oracle of Apollo.
Patara was the flourishing port for the city of Xanthus (Kimk) some ten kilometers up the Xanthus (Koca Cay) River. Xanthus was the ancient capital of the province of Lycia. While Xanthus was more heavily populated, Patara perhaps covered more acreage. Homer speaks of the area as the home of one of the heroes of the Trojan War. The port area has been erased by the shifting sands and the edge of the city is no longer immediately on the sea. In Paul’s time it appears it was a good all-weather harbor.
As Paul and Luke returned from Miletus to Jerusalem at the end of the third journey they stopped in Patara. Here they probably changed from a small coastwise ship to a larger one that could cope with the open Mediterranean (Acts 21:1-2).
The excavators at Patara have done an excellent job uncovering the Amphitheatre at Patara (one of the largest in Anatolia); just a few years ago it was filled with sand, vegetation and rubble. The view from the top, facing the city center, is fantastic.
amazing place to visit if not to hot…new carpark nearly finished
My husband and I are very interested in archeology, albeit in a very amateur sort of way. That being said, Patara was one of our favorite places in Turkey. There are some very nice things that have been excavated and rebuilt or restored. What is fascinating though is the sense that as you kick around, there is just alot more…
The amphitheatre is not quite undamaged but one can easily imagine the crowds there nearly 1900 years ago.
From the top of the steps one gets a magnificent view of the renovated Lycian Assembly Rooms.
The nearby ruins are well worth wandering through.
the skills and imagination of ancient romans laid before you. Even 2000 year old graffiti plus the necropolis for a few lira – well worth the trip. with the added attraction of a 10 mile beach and the warm Mediterranean to follow the visit – a truly awesome visit!
Fantastic way to spend a day. Arrive early – before the heat – and wander amongst the old stones, imagining what life would have been like when this was a thriving port. Once you have exhausted the ruins, retreat to the beach and enjoy the cooling waters.You can choose to be with the masses or walk along the 12 mile…
The best bit of Patara ruins is the amphitheatre, it is totally awesome. I have visited this place many times & the place is nearly always deserted. To sit on one of those steps in the theatre & think about what went on here 1000's of years ago is a great experience.
tou could wander around the site and try to imagine what it might have been like, no need to go round in groups and be talked at by a guide
also the progress made since we last visited
A great place to visit on the way to the beach. There are many areas to explore. The entrance gate to the old city awaits you on entry to the ruins and is very impressive. Lots to read about and walk around if you enjoy historical sites.
Compared to other trafficked sites it is great; however it will mostly interest someone who wants to expand their Greek/Turkish history knowledge, best visited around 6pm at peak of a summer season.
Must admit went a good 6 years ago when free and you walked to beach and through ruins they were remarkable at that time also saw big lizards in the undergrowth and snakes the amphitheatre was awesome with all carvings on the wall but I have to say this was before you had to pay and just when they started…