The Founding Story of the Ancient City of Pınara
According to the Ancient Writer Stephanus, regarding the establishment of the Pınara Ancient City; As a result of the increase in the population of Xanthos, a group of elderly people came to a high and rounded hill of Kragos Mountain, that is Babadağ, and established a new city and named it Pınara/Pinara, which means round (in Lyric inscriptions it is called Pinale).
After the city was founded, it became one of the important cities with three voting rights in the Lycian Civilization. According to Strabo’s quote from Artemidoros, Pınara is one of the six cities with three voting rights in the Lycian Union Assembly. The Lycian Union is also important because it is the first democratic federation that laid the foundations of today’s democratic system in terms of its management style.
Photo by mutnefertari on Flickr
According to an inscription found in Pınara, which is on the Lycian Way walking route, it is thought that the city was connected to the Carian King Pixodaros between 340-334 BC. Like other ancient cities, the silver and bronze coins of the city, which was captured by Alexander the Great in 334 BC, are dated between 168-81 BC.
It is thought that Pınara, which became a Roman settlement after the death of Alexander the Great, was captured by the Pergamon Kingdom and connected to Rome in 133 BC, lived its heyday under Roman rule.
Pinara Ancient City Ruins
There are ruins such as a bath, theater, agora and odeon as well as many rock and sarcophagus tombs in Pınara, which has completely lost its importance since the 8th century AD as a result of the great earthquakes.
Of course, no solid structure has survived from these structures. On the opposite side, we see the Pınar Antique Theater with a seating capacity of 3200 people, behind which there is a magnificent view of Babadağ. The strongest structures in this ancient city are the rock tombs and the city’s theater.
Photo by Selahattin Çelik on 500px.com
The city was discovered by the British Archaeologist Charles Fellows. Of course, Charfes Fellows takes many historical artifacts that he discovered and studied in the ancient cities to England via ships. Today, all these historical artifacts are exhibited in the special Lycian hall of the British Museum in England.
As you approach Pınara, there are hundreds of rock tombs carved into the rock on the steep slope of the upper acropolis.
In the lower acropolis, where transportation is easier, there are structures such as the odeon, agora, temple and piled tombs. The fact that the majority of the rock tombs are in the form of residences gives ideas about Lycian life and architecture.
Consisting of a bath, theatre, agora, odeon, rock tombs and two acropolises, there is an observation terrace supported by a city wall on the impassable steep slope of the lower acropolis of the Pınara Ancient City. To the south of the wall is the Odeon, with its back against the hillside, and the agora on the flat area in front of it. The water source in the lower part of the lower acropolis gave life to the city.
Pınara’s acropolis is reached from the south side by a path with stairs carved into the rock. Walls and Byzantine works can be seen in the part surrounded by walls. Many of Pınara’s official and private buildings are gathered here.
There are two acropolises, the upper acropolis and the lower acropolis. The reason for this is that the upper acropolis was insufficient in a short time and the lower acropolis was built in order to provide easier transportation.
How to get to Pınara Ancient City
The ancient city of Pınara, which is 45 km away from the center of Fethiye and 5 km west of the Fethiye-Kaş highway, can be reached by a 2 km stabilized road from the Minare Village.
After Xanthos, continue on the Fethiye road, turn left at the Pinara sign, and continue on foot from the Minare Village when you drive 5 km further.
Pınara Ancient City is among the Lycian cities in and around Fethiye.
Where is Pınara Ancient City and how to get there?
While driving on the D400 highway between Fethiye and Kaş, you need to turn to the Minare Village side at 40 km after Fethiye. After 2,5km past the Minare Village, you arrive at the Ancient City of Pınara.
Around the Pınara Ancient City, you can visit the Ancient City of Xanthos, 26 km to the south, and the Ancient City of Letoon, 6 km from it. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, you can experience watery moments in Saklıkent National Park, 25km east. Tlos Ancient City, one of the cities with 3 votes, is located 25km northeast of Pınara.
The ancient city of Pinara in Minare Village, 45 km from Fethiye town centre, is one of them.
