Patara

Beloved by the god Apollo, Patara's beaches tempt both sunbathers and archaeologists, for the sands still cover much of the lost city's past.

As with all the great ancient metropolises in the region, the Lycian city of Patara was settled by Classical Greek colonists and the sun god Apollo was said to be the father of the founder, Patarus.

Such was the attraction of the place that the god himself was said to spend his winters there. In honour of this divine heritage, an oracle of Apollo was built and was second only to Delphi's famous one.

Oracles would have uttered their pronouncements in a temple to Apollo, but this, like much of the city's glorious past, is thought to still remain hidden beneath the sands. However, there are still some key areas that have been excavated and are a draw for tourists.

The amphitheatre has been salvaged from the sands in recent times, allowing visitors to stroll on its stage. Similarly, the parliamentary building is also available for visits, where the Lycian League members are thought to have met and debated. They would have sat beneath the throne of the Lyciarch, first member of this confederation.

Patara was famous as a coastal city and this is reflected in the fact that its harbour played a vital role in its history. Remains of a lighthouse, possibly the oldest in the world, have been found as more work takes place to uncover the city.

A castle and towers commanded views of this important asset and walls built to defend the port are still traceable today. Those following the walls may also be surprised to discover inscribed stone sarcophagi, with temple remains and sculptures scattered along the way.

As with the Greek cities in the region, it was subject first to Persian domination, before becoming subject to Alexander the Great. During the Ptolemaic period that followed, the city was renamed Arsinoe after the Greco-Egyptian co-ruler queen, but it did not stick.

The Romans then moved in and  brought additions to the city's architecture. Ruins of a thermae, a hot spring, built during emperor Hadrian's reign, have been found and much more could still be beneath the shifting sands, which occasionally move to reveal new architectural treasures.

As mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Paul changed ships here and Patara is also famous as being the birthplace of Saint Nicholas - Father Christmas. Partly due to this heritage, the city was an important pilgrimage point as well as trading centre when the Byzantine empire controlled it.

However, Patara entered into a long decline that saw the city lose its importance and ultimately the reason for its prominence, its harbour. Piracy and looting, combined with disease and a dwindling population, led the locals to retreat to a fortified inner part of the city.

With so few people to maintain the harbour and prevent it from silting, it closed it to traffic, while allowing malaria and other diseases to flourish. Arab raiders harried the inhabitants and it was abandoned by the end of the mediaeval period.

Visitors today can stroll through its remains, which are close to eight miles of sandy beaches that recently came in top of a Times poll of the best beaches around the globe, affording both culture and sunbathing on a visit to Patara.

Did you know that Turkey has two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? Click here to find out more.