Phaselis – Triple Harbour City of Lycia, Kemer
Φασηλίς · Phaselis · Faselis · Tekirova Phaselis
Archaic to Byzantine (690 BCE – 700 CE)·Rhodian Greek / Lycian / Roman / Byzantine·🇹🇷 Antalya Province, Kemer, Tekirova, Turkey
About
About Phaselis – Triple Harbour City of Lycia, Kemer
Phaselis, founded 690 BCE by Rhodians on a narrow isthmus 12 km south of Kemer, uniquely possessed three natural harbours — north, south (military, 100x75 m at −1 to −3 m) and central commercial — enclosing the city grid. The north harbour mole (90 m at −1 m) is the most intact; south harbour preserves ashlar quay and Hadrian aqueduct discharging into the basin. The city exported rose perfume (rhodon), timber and purple; its Hadrian Gate (129 CE) and theatre survive. Harbours silted partially but remain partly functional for yachts; sea-level rise +1.2 m since Classical drowned lower quays. Excavations by J. Schäfer (1980s).
Why it mattersOnly Mediterranean city with three natural harbours in original relation; classic Rhodian colonial harbour planning on an isthmus.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether north harbour was naval vs south harbour was naval
- 02Location of Rhodian foundation altar under theatre
Theories
- 01Phaselis chosen specifically for triple harbour isthmus controlling Lycia-Pamphylia passage
- 02South harbour was Hadrian military harbour built over Classical
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 690 BCE by Rhodian colonists
- Period
- Archaic to Byzantine (690 BCE – 700 CE)
- Culture
- Rhodian Greek / Lycian / Roman / Byzantine
- Builders
- Rhodians
- Purpose
- Triple harbour for rose perfume, timber and eastern Mediterranean transit
- Abandoned
- c. 700 CE after Arab raids and silting
- Rediscovered
- 1816 by Francis Beaufort
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
690 BCE
Rhodians found Phaselis on isthmus with three harbours
333 BCE
Alexander winter captures Phaselis; grants autonomy
129 CE
Hadrian visits; builds gate and aqueduct to harbour
1980s
Schäfer excavates aqueduct and harbours
On the ground
Structures & features
36.5247° N · 30.5522° E · 0 m · 2 mapped features
North harbour mole 90 m
mole90 m north harbour mole at −1 m
36.5260° N · 30.5510° ESouth naval basin 100x75 m
harbourSouth military harbour basin at −1 to −3 m
36.5230° N · 30.5530° E