Fethiye , the “untouched virgin of the land of lights'' stands on a cove within the
Fethiye Bay where big and small islands are scattered in the sea and is surrounded by pine trees in the back. It descends towards the sea from the rock tombs and the castle through
Karagözler. It is one of our important tourism centers with its cultural richness, natural beauty and geography.
Fethiye was called Telmessos in the
Antique Age. Telmessos continued its existence as a city indipendent from
Lycia for a long time. The history of
Köyceğiz dates back to 3400 BC. The first civilization that existed in this region was the
Karian. Later the
Iskıts,
Assyrians,
Ionians,
Dors,
Akas,
Persians,
Hellens,
Seleykoses,
Romana,
Seljuks,
Menteşoğlulları, and
Ottomans ruled in the city .The first data about the history of
Köyceğiz is provided by the historian
Heredot,
Geographian Strabon and the
English Archaeologist Hoskin.
The Greek and
Akas entered the
Aegean Coast in 2000 BC and founded new colonies whereby growth was rendered with the colonies of the
Kars. The city
Kaunos located at the area where
Köyceğiz lake and mediterranean meet became one of the important harbours and trade centers of Karia. The acropol, famous temples and
Harab and
Susan castles are important historical opuses.
