Telmessos
Telmessos is the name of Fethiye in ancient times. Telmessos was founded in 5 century B.C in the borders of Lycia and Caria civilizations. The surviving remains of Telmessos Show us that the city was very wealthy and had a high cultural assets during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It is also known that city was a famous prophecy center which dedicated to the name of Apollon.
Lycian rock tombs, sarcophagi, the fortress and theater belonging toT elmessos period today adorns Fethiye with their all glory.
Tomb of Amyntas, which is accepted as a symbol of Fethiye today located on the foot of the hill surrounding Fethiye, was built in 4th century B.C to the memory of King Ammintos. Lycian Sarcophagus tombs that scattered all around Fethiye can be seen any time while strolling around Fethiye. Especially the Lycian tombs located in the garden of Government house in the city center is very interesting with its reliefs depicting the war and warriors.
The Fortress of Fethiye located on the top of the dominating Hill was built in the 11th century and was used by Rhode knights in 15th century for defend and observation against enemies.
The ancient theater of Telmessos today located in the city center next to famous Paspa Tur market place on the left and Fethiye port on the right. It was built in the 2nd century A.D with total 6.200 people capacity and it has the basic characteristics of a typical Roman theater. Theater is today under restoration in order to create an important tourist attraction and open air museum with additional cultural buildings and landscape arrangements.