Fethiye: City of the Son of God

The modern city Fethiye is located on the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos. It was the most important one among the cities of ancient Lycian civilization. Telmessos is the city of Apollo’s son: according to the legend the god falls in love with the daughter of the King of Phoenicia, Agenor. Disguising as a small dog he reaches the beautiful girl and gain her love. Afterwards he reappears as a handsome man. The result of such a gorgeous union was a son who got a name of ‘Telmessos’ – “the land of lights“. Thanks to the godlike father, the city of Telmessos had a reputation of a prophetic centre.

Many historical artefacts testify that the city was under the influence of the Greeks, Romans and Persians. The city fell to the Ottoman Empire bearing the name Megri, “long one”. 

However the present name, Fethiye, the city was given in 1934, in honour of Captain Fethi Bey, one of the first pilots of the Ottoman Air Force who tragically died during an aeroplane crash.