Water will flow through the famous city gate of the ancient city of Patara, which is situated in the Kaş district of Antalya, Turkey, for the first time in centuries, owing to repair work scheduled for this year. Comprising 23 cities, Patara served as the capital of the Lycian League in the middle of the first century B.C. and is frequently referred to as the “cradle of civilizations” because of the numerous ancient cultures that were located there.
The ancient theatre, the Lycian League assembly building, the historic lighthouse, Emperor Nero’s bathhouse, and aqueducts are some of Patara’s most famous buildings. One of the most important is the city gate, which is 10 meters high and 19 meters long, signifying the magnificence of the city.
Recently, it was found that water that flowed through the city’s aqueducts was directed into a pool above the gate’s central arch in the first century A.D. This produced a visual spectacle that represented the splendour of the city and Roman might. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Heritage for the Future” project will restore this feature, which delighted tourists.
The Colossal City Gate
This year’s excavation work will concentrate on the city gate and surrounding structures, making the area accessible to both tourists and experts, according to Şevket Aktaş, head of excavations at Patara. The sea and the land were the two principal entrances to Patara. According to Aktaş, the city gate served as both an entrance and a building for Roman propaganda. It represented the might of Rome and left a magnificent impression on guests with its statues and cascading water.
In order to understand more about the materials and everyday life of the era, Aktaş described the excavation plans, which included exposing the paved street in front of the gate, exposing the porticos to the east and west, and excavating the stores behind the western portico. The history of the city will be better understood thanks to these digs.
The assembly building and theatre are among the important structures that have been discovered at Patara since the first excavation director, Professor Fahri Işık, started work there in 1988. Aktaş is excited to learn what the stores have discovered. After the excavations are finished, the water flow will be restored so that it can pass through the city gate once more, providing a more engaging experience for both scientists and tourists.
Additionally, Aktaş pointed out that as excavation work precedes, Patara’s visitor numbers have been rising gradually, underscoring the significance of these initiatives in protecting the site and drawing tourists.
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