If you lift your gaze from Kordon Promenade to the rocky hill, to the right of the majestic Lycian Rock Tombs, you can notice the silhouette of an ancient fortress. Locals call it Fethiye Fortress (Fethiye Kalesi), while in guidebooks it is often referred to as the Crusader Fortress — a name that envelops this place in the romance of medieval wars and knightly orders. However, archaeological discoveries in recent years prove that the history of this fortification began long before the arrival of the Knights Hospitaller.
Detailed Historical Overview of Fethiye Fortress
1. Archaic and Classical Periods (6th–4th centuries BC): The Lycian Beginning
According to the results of archaeological excavations that began in 2021, the first fortification on this hill appeared as early as the 6th century BC. At that time, the city was called Telmessos and was an important port of the Lycian League. The hill served as an acropolis — a fortified citadel where residents took refuge in times of danger, as well as the location of cult structures and the residence of the local ruler. The walls of that period were built from enormous polygonal stone blocks (classical Lycian masonry), fragments of which archaeologists find in the foundations of later medieval fortifications.
2. Hellenistic and Roman Periods (4th century BC – 4th century AD): The Flourishing of Telmessos
After the conquests of Alexander the Great and subsequent Hellenistic influence, followed by the arrival of the Romans, the significance of Telmessos did not diminish. The acropolis continued to function as a military and administrative center. The remains of an ancient theater, discovered at the foot of the fortress hill, as well as a significant part of the urban development, date back to this period. In Roman times, its own coinage was minted here, and the acropolis remained a symbol of the city`s independence and power.
3. Byzantine Era (4th–13th centuries AD): A Medieval Citadel
With the division of the Roman Empire, the region became part of the Byzantine Empire. The city`s name transformed into Anastasiopolis, and later into Makri (from the Greek makri — "long," after the shape of the bay). The Byzantines thoroughly rebuilt the acropolis: the ancient Lycian and Roman walls were reinforced, and new towers and defensive lines were added. The fortress acquired the features of a typical Byzantine citadel, protecting the port from Arab raids, which became more frequent from the 7th century onward. Christian churches and cisterns for water functioned within the fortress grounds.
4. Period of the Menteşe Beylik (13th–14th centuries AD): Turkish Presence
After the weakening of Byzantine control, the Seljuk Turks arrived in the region, followed by the Menteşe dynasty, which established one of the coastal Anatolian beyliks. During this period, the fortress lost some of its Byzantine characteristics but did not lose its defensive significance. The Turks used it to control trade routes and the port, making changes to the structure of the fortifications. The first neighborhoods at the foot of the fortress, which later formed the Ottoman city, appeared during this time.
5. Knights Hospitaller (15th century AD): The "Crusader Fortress"
The fortress acquired its most recognizable appearance in the 15th century, when the region became a zone of influence for the Knights of St. John (Hospitallers), who were based on the nearby island of Rhodes. The Knights considered the mainland coast a strategically important foothold. Using the foundations of older structures, they built massive outer walls and towers from roughly hewn stone. It is to this period that the massive fortification elements visible today in Fethiye Fortress belong. This was a typical knightly castel, designed to resist Ottoman expansion. However, despite the strength of the fortifications, with the Ottoman capture of Rhodes in 1522, the fortress finally came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
6. Ottoman Period (16th–20th centuries AD): Decline and Oblivion
Under the Ottomans, the fortress, which received the name Fethiye (in honor of the conquest), gradually lost its military significance. Its garrison was small, and the fortifications were not updated. The city began to expand downward, near the water, while the old acropolis fell into desolation. Earthquakes, particularly the devastating earthquake of 1856, caused serious damage to the already dilapidated walls. By the beginning of the 20th century, the fortress had turned into picturesque ruins, used by local residents as a quarry for building houses, which partially dismantled the ancient layers.
7. Modern Times: Unveiling the Secrets
For a long time, it was believed that Fethiye Fortress was merely a medieval Crusader structure. However, systematic excavations that began in 2021 under the leadership of Professor Kadir Pektaş radically changed this view. Sensational finds (coins, ceramics, jewelry from the 6th century BC) and the discovery of the remains of an ancient theater proved that the history of this site spans more than 2,600 years. Today, the fortress is in the stage of active scientific study and restoration, gradually becoming one of the region`s main archaeological parks, where the literal "layer cake" of eras unfolds right before the visitors` eyes.
What Can Be Seen at Fethiye Fortress Today
Although the fortress is in the stage of active archaeological study and restoration, it is already open to visitors and is one of the best viewing platforms in the city.
Medieval Walls and Towers
Travelers are greeted by fragments of fortress walls made of roughly hewn stone, built during the time of the Knights of Rhodes. This is a classic example of Hospitaller fortification from the 15th century. Inside the fortress walls, you can see the remains of an ancient cistern for collecting water — without such a water source, a prolonged siege would have been impossible. Although most of the internal structures are still hidden beneath a layer of earth, excavations continue, and in the future, tourists may see a new appearance of Fethiye Fortress.
Panoramic View from the Crusader Fortress Fethiye
The fortress is located on top of a hill, and from its walls, the most breathtaking view of Fethiye unfolds:
• The entire Fethiye Bay, with countless yachts and gulets;
• The Kordon Promenade and the urban development stretching into the distance;
• On the opposite side of the bay — picturesque mountains, and to the right — the famous Lycian Rock Tombs, including the Tomb of Amyntas.
The view is especially impressive during sunset hours, when the sun paints the bay in orange-pink hues, and the city below begins to light its lights.
Proximity to Ancient Sites
The Crusader Fortress Fethiye is located in close proximity to the Lycian Rock Tombs. These two historical sites form a single architectural ensemble that dominates the modern city. Near the fortress, you can also encounter other ancient burials, including Lycian sarcophagi, seamlessly integrated into the urban landscape.
The fortress is located in the Kesikkapı neighborhood (Kesikkapı Mahallesi), to the right of the Tomb of Amyntas when viewed from the sea side. The path to it leads through the old city streets; the walk uphill takes about 15–20 minutes from the center. Visits are possible, but caution is advised as restoration work is not yet complete. City authorities, together with the Ministry of Culture, plan to fully improve the area after the excavations are completed: to create safe paths, install lighting, and turn Fethiye Fortress into a full-fledged open-air museum complex.
