GENERAL INFORMATION

One is at a loss for words to describe the beauties of Fethiye. If you are incredibly addicted to exploring new horizons and are a lover of nature, Fethiye is the destination for you...... What is that makes these shores so delightfully intended with innumerable coves and the unbelievable beauty of nature? What makes it so alluring? Perhaps it is a bit of everything; who knows? Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush pine forests Fethiye enjoys hot sunny days with cloudless blue skies 9 months of the year with temperatures averaging 30 degrees.

To wander through the streets of Fethiye is an adventure both intoxicating and exuberant. The town is bustling and vibrant and a shoppers delight, atmospheric bars and restaurants are to be found everywhere in the myriad of back streets, and the overall feel is one of laid back sophistication. Close by is the 4km long beach at Calis and the magnificent ‘Blue Lagoon' at Olu Deniz, one of the worlds most photograhed beaches which is a ‘must see'.

Fethiye is located in South-west Mediterranean Turkey, connected to all other cities by three highways and reached very easily. Dalaman International Airport is as close as 50 km to the town center. During the tourism season one can find many flights from major European cities to Fethiye besides the domestic flights throughout the year. Alternatively, Antalya Airport, a two-hour drive to Fethiye is another departure point.

History of Fethiye

Fethiye , known as Telmessos in the antique period, was one of the most important cities of LYCIA at the western borderline with CARIA. Despite the lack of information regarding its establishment, it is stated that the history of the city reaches far back to 5th century BC. Its name believed to have come from Telmessos, - son of the God Apollon. The great god of Lycians, According to popular legend Apollon one day falls in love with the youngest daughter of the King of Finike (Phoenike), Agenor. He transforms himself in to a smalldog and gains the love of the shy and timid daughter. After he reveals his true identity they fall in love and become lovers, soon after a baby boy is born and they name him 'Telmessos' which translates as the ‘land of lights'. The city and the area around were given the name of this demi-god.

Telmessos forms the first state of the Persians after Lycia being invaded by the Persian King Harpagos in 547 BC. Along with all other Lycian and Carian cities, Telmessos then, joins the Attik-Delos Union established in mid. 5th century BC. and, although it later leaves the union as an independent city, continues its relations untill 4th century BC. During the invasion of Anatolia by Alexander the Great on his Asian cruise in the winter of 334-333 BC the city was captured by the great emperor. Telmessos is believed to have either surrended to him by its own will or been invaded by the commander Nekros of Alexander. According to this second version of the capture of the city; having asked the permission of Antipatrides, ruler of the city, for his musicians and slaves to enter, Nekros, warriors with guns hidden in the flute boxes, captured the acropolis during the feasts and festivities held during the night. The city has been handed over to the son of Lysimachos in 240 BC. by Ptolomy III. According to the treaty signed in 189 BC. following the Magnasia war, the Romans left the city to Eumenos, the King of Bergama (Pergamon)