Lighthouse of Patara

The Patara Lighthouse is a Roman coastal structure near Kaş with two cylindrical towers built on a square foundation. The site sits close to the ancient port city and features preserved stones and foundations from antiquity.

A Roman coastal watch structure was built here during the imperial period to guide ships into the harbor. Archaeological work in the 2000s uncovered portions of the original construction.

The lighthouse forms part of the ancient Lycian capital Xanthos, where Saint Nicholas, known worldwide for his generosity, was born around 270 AD.

The site is located near the modern village of Gelemiş and can be explored together with other Roman ruins. Access is on foot through the archaeological zone, where other remains of the ancient city are also visible.

The structure contains original construction stones uncovered during the 2004 excavations, revealing precise Roman engineering and architectural techniques.