March 31: Kalkan to Fethiye
Triumphal arch at Patara

Patara was the major naval and trading port of Lycia, located at the mouth of the Xanthos River, until it silted up and turned into a malaria-plagued marsh. Patara is not far from the sites of Letoon and Xanthos and a day trip from Kalkan, Kas or Fethiye could easily combine the sites.

Patara was a very wealthy city due to trade and was one of the six principal cities of Lycia. Following its capture by Alexander the Great it became an important naval base as well. Patara’s oracle at the renown temple of Apollo (not yet found) was said to rival that at Delphi and the temple equaled the reputation of the famous temple on the island of Delos. It was believed that Apollo lived at Delos during the summer but spent his winters at Patara. Omens were interpreted in these two towns during the respective seasons. A large bust of Apollo, discovered on the hill beyond the City Gate, indicates the existence of an Apollo Temple which has not been yet found.

In Christian history Patara is famous for being a place of St. Paul’s missionary work at the end of his third missionary journey as he changed ships en route to Jerusalem. Patara was also the birthplace of St. Nicholas (born c.260-280 AD), bishop of Myra and the future Santa Claus.

Many legends exist explaining the origin of the name of Patara. During the time of Lycia's Ptolemy domination, Ptolemaios II (reigned 285-246 B.C) re-named Patara as Arsinoe in honour of his wife. The name did not stick, however, and soon original name was again in use.

Around 192 BC the Lycians at Patara were involved in a battle at neighbouring ancient Phoenicus (today's Kalkan) during the Syrian war against the combined forces of Rome and Rhodes. They were successful and the invaders were forced to leave.

During the Roman period, Patara was the judicial seat of the Roman governor, and the city became the capital of both the Lycian and Pamphylian provinces at one time. The emperor Hadrian and his wife Sabina visited Patara, as did emperor Vespasian; both emperors made contributions to the city.