OLUDENIZ
Ölüdeniz is a protected area of 'outstanding natural beauty'
and is world famous for its adventure and water sports, particularly
paragliding. Situated just 12km from Fethiye, Ölüdeniz consists
of two parts; Belcekiz Beach, which fronts the Mediterranean,
and the lagoon itself. The blue lagoon National Park has a
small entrance fee, but it is well worth the price. The 3km
beach offers sports in crystal clear water in a colour harmony
of light and dark blue combined with light and dark green.
Many restaurants and bars line the front of Belcekiz beach,
and offer excellent views of the descending paragliders and
of course, people-watching.
The World Heritage Foundation has classified the Babadağ
mountain among the most important in the world, in urgent
need of protection. This is due to the importance of its
endemic species. From time immemorial the mountains of the
area have been regarded as sacred. Today Babadağ (literally
Father Mountain) is known for its prime paragliding and
ancient cedar forests.
PRIME PARAGLIDING:
For once man has tasted flight he will forever walk the
earth
with eyes turned skywards.
For there he has been and there he longs to return.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Good wind conditions, thermals reaching up to 4,000 metres
ASL, fantastic views and proximity to the sea, make Ölüdeniz
one of the safest scenic places to fly in the world. At
almost 2,000 metres high, Mount Babadağ is a geological
marvel that just happens to make for incredible thermals
and ideal conditions for unrivalled paragliding flight.
Ölüdeniz is reputedly the best site in Europe, if not the
world, to fly paragliders cross-country in both solo and
tandem modes.
In the last ten years the area has become a mecca for paragliders
from all over the world. They come to Ölüdeniz for some
of their best flights of their lifetimes - with turquoise
blue waters, white stretches of beaches, several take-off
points at different heights and locations, it makes Ölüdeniz
the ideal place for both novice and experienced pilots.
It is fair to say that paragliding here is now as famous
as Ölüdeniz itself and especially with the annual Ölüdeniz
Air Games Festival held in October every year, this thrilling
sport is sure to be tried and learned.
FETHIYE
Fethiye seaport with its sheltered natural structure is
an important stop for yachtsmen. A new modern marina project
will be realised soon for a large number of yachts with
all facilities on the other end at the bay. The whole region
excluding Fethiye and Eşen lowlands is covered with high
mountains forming the south western spurs of the Taurus
Range.
In Fethiye, with its abundant and fertile land, agriculture
is of major prominence. Therefore whilst in other holiday
resorts it becomes quiet at the end of the season, life
in Fethiye flows on throughout the year.
Fethiye is located on the Lycian and Carian border and was
called Telmessos in ancient times. The city was very prominent
and a centre of prophecy, pledged to Apollon. That the city
life was rich and highly cultured during the Hellenistic
and Roman periods is evident from the existing monuments.
Today the majority of ancient ruins in Telmessos are rock-tombs,
Lycian-type sarcophagi, the fortress and the Roman Theatre.
There is not definitive information about the foundation
of this ancient city. According to the first written records,
it came into existence in the 5th century B.C. Telmessos,
separate from Lycia, survived as an independent city for
a long time. It has experienced the rule of Persia, Alexander
the Great, Rome, Pergamum Kingdom, Byzantium, Menteşeoğulları
Principality and Ottoman State, respectively. Lycians were
natives of Anatolia and sea-faring people as mentioned in
Homer’s Iliad and Kadesh War Peace Agreement document.
PLACES TO SEE NEAR FETHIYE:
- Gemiler Island
- Araxa
- Tlos
- Oenanda
- Letoon
- Pinara
- Cadianda
- Üzümlü
- Kayaköy
- Telmessos
- Caunus
- Rocky Tombs and Castles
- Saklıkent (Hidden City)
