Around AD 275 Nicholas was born in Patara, on the south east Lycian coast.
At that time Patara's population was about 15,000. It enjoyed some sea trade, but probably relied primarily on cottage craft industry — labor intensive food processing, textile and pottery making, woodworking, glass, metalwork, leather, bone and shell craft, brick, tile and stone work—for local use. Located in a valley surrounded by hills, a stone arch formed the entrance from the north and a narrow notch in the hills to the south gave access to the Mediterranean Sea. Patara's acropolis, a temple dedicated to Artemis, was on a hill overlooking the city. The outdoor amphitheatre, made of local stone with twenty-five tiers of seats, is below the acropolis.
During Nicholas' lifetime, the harbour filled with silt and the city gradually lost importance. Sand dunes have since gradually covered much of the town.
The prominent Roman ruins are from structures that would have been familiar to Nicholas. The Christian community his family belonged to may have been started by the Apostle Paul, who boarded a ship in Patara on his third missionary journey to Tyre. Remains of the harbour church can be seen in the water.
Patara is the setting for one of the most extraordinary beaches in Turkey. Some 20km long with an average width of 50 metres, the beach here boasts dramatic dunes formed from silky soft sand. To the rear there is a pine forest whist on the beach itself you can see Oleander trees.
For me Patara is the most beautiful place I have ever seen on Gods earth. Just 1 hour from Fethiye, Patara is a must see for anyone visiting or living in Turkey.
Spend a few hours at Saklikent and then take the 30 minute drive onto Patara, grab a cheap hotel for the night and....
<center>R E L A X!</center>
Merv!
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