Phaselis is an Ancient City and natural beauity and peaceful paradise in Tekirova, a district of Kemer in Antalya,
History of The City
Phaselis is sometimes shown as a city in the Lycian region and sometimes as a city in the Pamphylia region. In fact, it is located between the borders of both regions. In the city, respectively, the Persian Kingdom reigned in the 5th century BC, Caria Satrabi Mausolos Kingdom in the 4th century BC, followed by the reign of King Pericles of Palmyra, the neighbor city. It is one of the most colorful pages in the history of the city when the community welcomed Alexander the Great with a gold crown in 333 BC. Phaselis, which changed hands many times after Alexander, became a member of the Lycian league in 167 BC and published the coins of the Union. After the persecution of the neighboring city of Olympus and Pirates for a while, Phaselis entered Roman rule in 43 BC, which was the beginning of reconstruction in the city and the prosperity that would last at least 300 years. The city was visited by Emperor Hadrian in 129. The single-arch monument at the entrance of the Main Street starting from the southern port was commemorated by this visit.
The 5th and 6th centuries were centuries under Byzantine rule, in which Phaselis took part in the cities that participated in the Kadıköy Consul in 451. After Arab raids in the 7th century, a new era of prosperity began in the 8th century. After the Seljuk siege in 1158 and earthquakes, the port lost its functionality and importance, and Phaselis was completely abandoned from the beginning of the 13th century. The remains that survived to the present day mostly belong to Roman and Byzantine periods. These are lined up on both sides of Main Street, which forms the main axis of the city and connects the North-South ports. The street enlarges between the Agora and the theatre and forms a small square. The steps in the southeast corner of the square provide access to the theatre and the Acropolis. The theatre is a typical small-sized Hellenistic period theatre. It is understood from the remains that the stage building was added during the Roman period and it became a part of the new city walls that protect the city in the Late Byzantine period. To the right of the curve at the entrance of the ruin, the city’s old walls (3rd century BC), temple or monumental ruins can be found. The slope behind the northern port, on the other hand, is the cemetery of the city.
Phaselis Ancient City, near Tekirova Village, remains within the borders of the Olympus Beydağları National Park. If you are going to Phaselis Ruins, which is only 16 kilometers away from Kemer, by your own vehicle through Antalya, you have to turn south from the 57th kilometer of Kumluca Highway. After following this road, you will need to obtain tickets at the entrance of the ancient city you will reach. You can then park your car near the point where you want to enter the sea.
How to Go Phaselis
If you do not have your own vehicle, you can also use minibuses departing from Antalya, Kemer and Tekirova to reach Phaselis. If you are going to the region with a minibus, you should keep in mind that minibuses drop off passengers in the ticket office area. After dropping off, remember to take 10 minutes’ walk through the forest to the area where the beaches are. Don’t take too many belongings with you. Walking with them under the sun can be exhausting. If you wish, you can hitchhike the oncoming to cars and jump on if they have an available seat.
The Ancient City of Phaselis, which has a great cultural heritage, allows you to spend enjoyable hours with your family and loved ones thanks to its 3 beautiful beaches. The ports in the ancient city are called the northern, central and southern ports. My favorite of these three ports is the “Central Port”. When you first enter the ancient city with your vehicle, you will be greeted by the southern port, then you will reach to the central port and finally the southern port. All of the ports have their own pros and cons.
Phaselis (Phaselis) Bay and Beaches
Northern Port
Northern Port is the second largest beach of the ancient city, in which you can take advantage of the picnic area. You can park your vehicle near the port. This part of the port is more secluded. The sea is clean, but a little pebbly. The trees are a little further behind, so if you want to have a picnic, you’ll have to do that under the sun. It might be a smart move to bring an umbrella with you.
Central Port
The best thing about this place is it’s surrounded by round stones. With this aspect, the port looks almost looks like a natural pool. Meanwhile, you can park your car right in front of the historic Aqueduct for the central port. Here, some vehicles must be left under the sun all day long, but at least, the vehicles do not cause any congestion like in the South Port. In other words, you will not be worrying about whether someone will block your car.
The water temperature at the central port is quite high. In other words, if you enter the sea in July and August, you will feel that the water temperature is a few degrees higher than Antalya. Some parts of the beach are pebbly while some other parts are sandy. There is no moss but there are big rocks at certain points of the beach. Since the sea looks like a natural pool, the depth of water resets all around the beach. When you swim to the open, you reach the rocks at the end of the port. If you wish, you can climb to the rocks as some visitors do, but I think it is dangerous. This port is also good for those who don’t know how to swim. Coastal points are quite shallow and don’t have any waves.
Unfortunately, there are no showers or toilets close to Central and Northern Ports. You have to go to the facilities in Southern Port, 10-15 minutes of walking distance. Remember, this is not a luxury beach. It’s an ancient city of about 9000 years. A protected area where concretion is prohibited.
Lastly, there is a small café in the area where the aqueduct is located in Central Port. Here you can buy snacks or cold drinks. If you own a Müzekart or a Müzekart+, you can benefit from discounted prices at the café.
Southern Port
Our last option at Phaselis beaches is the Southern Port. This port has a slightly larger beach. Therefore, the sea is a little rough. But the view of the port is absolutely impressive.
The beach of Southern Port is mixed with sand and pebbles. It has no moss but the sea is a little rolling. If you want to sunbathe, you can settle by the beach. However, this port is quite lively compared to others. Tourists coming to the ancient city by sea are entering the premises through the gate in this port. So even if they don’t go into the sea, there may be a constant human traffic. So, if you want a little more privacy, you can choose to swim in the Central or Northern Port.
After enjoying the sea on the beautiful beaches of the bay, you can start to explore the ruins waiting for you in the center of the forest area. My advice to you is to spend most of your time on Port Street, which was used as the main road to the ancient city. This street also connects the central and southern ports.
On the street passing by the Agora built in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, you can see the remains of the statues that extend to the right and left.
The theatre, the Temple of Zeus and the baths are the other buildings that you can explore on the street. As you arrive at Hadrian’s Gate at the end of the street, you can enjoy the unique view of the Southern Port.
The other structures of the city, where the city walls can be seen in place from the Roman period to the present day, are aqueducts. The aqueducts extending to the resources in the north to provide a solution to the water needs of the city are connected to an advanced canal system from the entrance of the city. You can also spend time in the Necropolis located on the shore of the ancient city, in the customs buildings, and in the Acropolis, where the Hermes, Athena, Hestia temples are located.
You can visit Phaselis from 08.00 to 19.00 in the summer season between 15 April to 2 October and between 08.00 to 17.00 in the winter season from 3 October to 14 April. Half an hour before closing, the officers announce and begin warning you to leave the area.
The ancient city, where the entrance fee is 20 Turkish liras for adults, is kept closed until 13.00 on the 1st day of religious holidays. Individuals over 65 and children are allowed free access to Phaselis ruins.
The entrance fee of the historical city is not charged from the owners of Muzekart and Müzekart+ arriving in the historic city near the coast road, which shows all the beauty of the Mediterranean.
Contact:
Address: Phaselis Ruins – Tekirova / ANTALYA
Antalya Museum Phone: (0242) 2385688-89
info@antalyamuzesi.gov.tr
Photographs of Phaselis Ancient City
