This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
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Gemile Island is located south of the Fethiye district, which belongs to Muğla Province, approximately 9 kilometers from Fethiye. It lies within the Ölüdeniz Basin, directly opposite Soğuksu Bay. The island’s former name was Aya Nicola, and during the Middle Ages it was also known as the Island of Saint Nicholas. The island is one kilometer long and 400 meters wide. Its southern slope is steep, while its northern slope has a gentle incline. Gemile Island lies directly opposite the bay and beach that bear its name.
Gemile Island gained importance beginning in the 5th century AD with the establishment of religious settlements. Evidence indicates continuous habitation on the island and its surroundings from the 5th to the 13th century AD. It is believed that between the 5th and 7th centuries, the island served as a bishopric center and hosted intense religious activity. The island is presumed to have been a significant stopover for Christian pilgrims traveling by sea. This also highlights the maritime trade connections between the ancient world and Byzantium with the Near East and Europe. The island is thought to have been abandoned following Arab raids in the 7th century.
On the island, remains of churches dating to the Byzantine and Early Christian periods have been found. In total, four church structures have been identified, along with eleven basilica-type churches, numerous chapels, houses, storage facilities, tombs, and cisterns. Parts of the remains were submerged due to earthquakes in 240–241 AD and can now be observed at a depth of two meters. The walls of the churches on the island feature religious frescoes; the frescoes in the largest church are in good condition, although their mosaic floors have been damaged. The most impressive church is No. 3, located at the island’s highest point, built in basilica plan and resembling a cathedral. The foundations of the churches were carved directly into the island’s rocky terrain. Religious structures were generally constructed from local stone, with some cut stone and very little brick used. One reason the island is known as the Island of Saint Nicholas is the inscription “Hossios Nikolaos” found in the apse fresco of Church No. 2. This supports the theory that the church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Sion, believed to have been born and lived in the area near modern-day Demre, Antalya, at Alacahisar (Sion). It is also known that a medieval maritime guide records that the church at the island’s highest point was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Archaeological surveys were conducted on the island in 1990 by a Japanese team. Between 1995 and 2003, excavations were carried out in collaboration between the Fethiye Museum Directorate and Osaka University, Japan. During excavations led by Kazuo Asano in the 1990s, the churches on the island were numbered.
One of the remains on the island is a tunnel connecting two churches. Some sections of this 500-meter tunnel are in ruins. The 17 resting stations along the stairs within the tunnel represent the 17 times Jesus is said to have rested while being led to the cross. Additionally, between Churches No. 2 and No. 3 at the island’s highest point, there is a vaulted passage or corridor 2.5 meters wide and 160 meters long. A wall running east-west along the northern slope separates the religious structures on the upper part of the hill from the civilian and commercial buildings below, suggesting that the upper section of the island was considered a sacred area. Although there is no freshwater source on the island, the abundance of architectural structures indicates that rainwater was collected and stored in cisterns. Houses serving as dwellings and workplaces for people living and working outside the religious complex also exist on the island.
Gemile Island (Turkish Museums / YouTube)
The opposite shore of Gemile Island features Gemile Bay and Beach, which boast a sheltered location and a beautiful sandy shore surrounded by pine and olive trees. During summer months, the site is visited not only by excursion boats but also by picnickers arriving by road via Fethiye–Hisarönü–Kayaköy. The bay is six kilometers from Kayaköy. Access to the island is typically by sea from Gemiler Bay near Kayaköy. It is also possible to reach the island via a strenuous hike from Kayaköy, and the area is one of the stops along a trekking trail. Other nearby excursion sites include Beştaşlar, Soğuksu with its freshwater spring, Kısık Bay and its cave, and Afkule to the west of Kısık Bay, all of which can serve as stops for guided tours. On Karacaören Island, approximately 150 meters west of Gemile Island, a chimney has been identified, believed to have been used to alert the inhabitants of both Gemile Island and Kayaköy in case of an attack.
Visit Information Gemile Island, under the responsibility of the Fethiye Museum Directorate, has designated opening hours and admission fees.
Historical and Religious Significance
Archaeological Remains and Structures
Environment and Access