Ölüdeniz or 'dead sea' (its literal translation into English) takes its name from a Turkish legend. In medieval times, many Greek-bound Syrian and Egyptian ships used to pass by Ölüdeniz and take on board fresh water. One day the handsome son of an old sea captain met Belcekiz, a beautiful young girl, at the bay where he stopped to fetch water. The two fell in love and then would meet whenever the young man's ship passed by. One day the father and son were caught in a terrible storm at sea. The son, knowing the area well, suggested they take shelter in the calm, protected waters of the inlet at Ölüdeniz, but the old captain objected, believing that his son might be endangering the ship just to meet his beloved. Their disagreement turned into a violent quarrel, and, when the captain thought his ship was about to be dashed on the rocks he pushed his son into the sea with his oar. Finally, he saw the calm waters of the inlet in front of them but it was by then of course too late. Belcekiz, on hearing of her lover's death, threw herself into the sea and also drowned. The place where she died is called Belcekiz, and the inlet that became her lover's watery grave is called Ölüdeniz.
FETHİYE...
Fethiye, the “untouched virgin of the Land of Lights'' is situated in Fethiye Bay on a cove facing north surrounded with pine trees at the back where the Mediterranean Sea scattered big and small islands. It descends towards the sea from the rock tombs and the castle through Karagözler. Fethiye with its cultural wealth, natural beauties and geography, is among the important tourism centres in Turkey.
Fethiye is famous for the works of art it holds dating back to the Persians, Lycians, Carians and Romans.
History: The ancient name of Fethiye, which was a coastal city at the borders of Lycia-Caria, is Telmessos. There is not definite information about the foundation of this ancient city. According to the first written records, it has come into existence in the 5th century B.C. Telmessos, separate from Lycia, survived as an independent city for a long time. The city experienced the rule of Persia, Alexander the Great, Rome, Pergamum Kingdom, Byzantium, Menteşeoğulları Principality and Ottoman Empire respectively.
Climate: Mediterranean climate, which is hot and dry during summers and warm and rainy during winters, is dominant in the region. Temperature, which is approximately 30 degrees centigrade during the summer months, is generally above 10 degrees during winters. Sea water temperature never decreases under 16 degrees during any season. |
When you come to Fethiye do no leave without,
 Seeing Ölüdeniz (the Blue Lagoon),
Visiting the Butterfly Valley,
Eating fish in Göcek,
Seeing Kayaköy,
Buying locally produced instruments like the three-string baglama, sipsi and Kabak Kemane (Gourd violin),
Watching a Turkish Night where local instruments and folk dancers perform,
And staying in a black goat-hair tent on a mountain pasture.
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Fethiye Museum
The Museum has two exhibition halls, namely Archaeology Hall and Ethnography Hall. In the Archaeology Hall, there are ceramic works and statues. Among these, there is a Young Girl’s Statue with a Dove and a trilingual stele, which has played an important role to analyse the Lycian language. Hand woven works special to the region, silver jewellery and dastar (head scarf) loom are exhibited in the Ethnography Hall. In the open exhibition, big stone works of art, tombs and Izraza Monument can be seen. The Museum is open everyday except Monday from 09.00 to 18.00.
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