Pınara, one of the important cities of the Lycian civilization, is located within the borders of Fethiye district, Muğla province, in the Seydikemer region. Pınara, situated adjacent to leading Lycian cities such as Xanthos, Patara, Letoon, and Tlos, attracts attention with both its geographical location and its unique architectural remains. The city holds importance for tracing the traces of Lycian culture and urbanization, both with its structure integrated into the natural landscape and the roles it undertook in the historical process.
Pınara Ancient City - Turkish Cultural Portal
History
Pınara Ancient City played a central political and cultural role as one of the six major cities in the Lycian civilization, with three votes. Geographically located within the borders of Seydikemer, a district of present-day Fethiye, Muğla province, the city was an important settlement center connected with both inland regions and coastal cities in ancient times. The city's name is likely derived from “Pilleñni,” a Luwian word meaning “round hill.” This name perfectly matches the city's semi-circular geographical location.
While the exact founding date of Pınara is not certain, archaeological remains and inscriptions show that the city was a deeply rooted settlement dating back to the 5th century BCE. The region where the city is located developed as one of Lycia’s political, religious, and commercial centers from an early period. Pınara, which became a full member of the Lycian League from the 5th century BCE onwards, is one of the rare cities within this league that had three votes. This situation indicates that Pınara was among the leading cities in terms of both population density and economic and military capacity.
Significant architectural development was observed in the city during the Hellenistic period. The construction of public structures such as the agora, theater, odeion, and city walls, in particular, indicates that Pınara was reorganized during this period. In the Roman period, the city further developed and was largely monumentalized under imperial rule. Structures like the theater were either built or existing structures were expanded during this period. The Roman bath and other civil structures are among the examples reflecting the lifestyle of this period.
During the Byzantine period, Pınara was reshaped under the influence of Christianity, and religious structures were built. Particularly, the remains of basilicas and churches indicate that the city became an episcopal center during this period. It is understood that the city maintained its strategic importance during the Byzantine period, as it did in the Roman period, functioning as a religious and administrative center.
However, the city's historical activity began to decline, especially from the late antique period onwards. Natural disasters, political turmoil, and shifts in the balance of power in the region caused Pınara to gradually lose its importance. In the post-medieval period, the city was abandoned and eventually covered by natural elements.
Today, archaeological remains bear the physical traces of this long historical process; the city's developmental stages can be traced through structures such as the theater, agora, rock-cut tombs, and temples. Pınara maintains its historical identity as an important example within both Lycian history and Mediterranean archaeology.
Architectural Remains and City Planning
Pınara Ancient City stands out with its multi-layered architectural structure. Among the most notable structures in the city are the theater, agora, odeion, baths, city walls, rock-cut tombs, and temples. The city has two different settlement levels: upper and lower. The upper city was equipped with defensive structures and civil architecture, while the lower city primarily contained public buildings and areas where social life was concentrated.
Theater
Pınara Theater is one of the largest theaters in the Lycian region, with a seating capacity of approximately 3,200 people. The structure, built with hillside architecture, reflects the advanced engineering techniques of the period in terms of both its acoustic properties and geometric proportions. Although the stage building, known as the scaenae frons, is largely ruined, the seating steps and cavea are remarkably well preserved.
Agora and Odeion
The odeion building, located right next to the agora, was used for both political meetings and musical events. In the city plan, while the agora was the center of social and commercial life, the odeion served to support the cultural aspect of this life. Although the agora floor is largely deteriorated, the surrounding column rows and building remains reveal the architectural organization of the area.
Rock-cut Tombs
One of Pınara’s most striking features is it hosts a large number of rock-cut tombs. Particularly on the high slopes of the city, tombs carved into the surfaces of steep cliffs reflect Lycian burial traditions and mastery in stone masonry. Among these tombs, those with temple facades stand out with their architectural details and reliefs. The density of rock-cut tombs indicates the presence of an aristocratic class in the city and the importance given to religious rituals.
Other Structures
The city also contains remains of civil and religious structures such as a Roman bath, basilica, various cisterns, and water channels. Particularly, the basilica from the Byzantine period reflects the religious architecture of its era with its multi-nave plan. Most of these structures are located in the southwest of the city, in relatively flat areas.
Pınara Ancient City - Turkish Museums
Natural Environment and Preservation Status
Pınara, due to being built on a natural platform surrounded by steep cliffs, has suffered less damage compared to many other ancient cities. The archaeological site is integrated with rich vegetation, which creates both an aesthetic and protective effect. However, some structures have still suffered damage due to earthquakes, treasure hunters, and natural erosion. Currently, cleaning and conservation efforts carried out in the area prevent this damage to a limited extent.
