P H A S E L I S

Some say Phaselis was founded by a group of colonists from Rhodes in 609 BC. They purchased the land from a shepherd named Cylabras for some dried fish. His choice was celebrated by the practice of using dried fish as a sacrificial offering. Hence the expression "Phaselitan Sacrafice", meaning inexpensive oblation. Other say it was founded by the seer Mopsus who led Greek colonists to the southern coast in the wake of the Trojan War

Phaselis is an off-the-beat site which is admired by it's charming ancient buildings and lush landscape. The city was inhabited by the Greeks, Persians, Carians under Mausolus, the Romans under Alexander the Great in 333 BC, and became a member of the Lycian League in 1BC. Claudius created the province of Pamphlia-Lycia in 34AD and Phaselis remained in Byzantine rule through the reign of Hadrian, who visited in 131 ADs. Although it is known that Olympos was a member of the Lycian League, no tombs or Lycian inscriptions have been found.

Flanked by 3 ports, Phaselis was a commercially successful in trading timber, lilium oil and roses. Highlights of the site include the three harbors, Hellenistic Walls, Hadrian's Gate, the broad paved main street, baths complex, agora with wonderful mosaics, theater and the aqueduct.

Hours: Open Everyday 9am-6pm.
Admission: about $4 USD