Phaselis Archaeological Site

Phaselis sits on a small peninsula that reaches into the Mediterranean, shaded by pines. It was founded as a colony of Rhodes around 690 BC and grew rich from sea trade, which is why its coins carry ships. Its three harbours, the North, the Central, also called the War Harbour, and the South, set it apart from its neighbours and made it for a long time the busiest port in eastern Lycia.

Because of its strategic value the city changed hands often. It was ruled by the Persians before opening its gates to Alexander the Great, who stayed a month and was welcomed with a golden crown. It later joined the Lycian League, suffered with neighbouring Olympos from pirate raids, and passed under Roman control in 43 BC. Emperor Hadrian visited in AD 129, and the city then enjoyed about three centuries of prosperity, backed by an advanced water distribution system with sewage and drainage.

In the Byzantine era Phaselis became a bishopric. It gradually lost importance and was abandoned in the early 13th century. Today the appeal is the mix of ruins and coast: paths lead between ancient streets and buildings to quiet bays where the ruins meet the sea.