Ancient Patara Lighthouse Set to Illuminate Sailors’ Path Once More

The ancient city of Patara, situated in southwestern Türkiye’s Antalya region, is celebrated for its deep historical significance. Once the capital of the Lycian League, Patara served as a crucial maritime trade hub. Today, the ancient lighthouse, originally constructed by Roman Emperor Nero and later ravaged by natural disasters, is undergoing reconstruction with its original stones, poised to once again guide sailors.

The restoration efforts for Patara’s historic lighthouse gained significant traction in 2020, which was declared the “Year of Patara.” This ambitious project, championed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aims to revive the nearly 2,000-year-old structure. Excavations around the approximately 26-meter-tall lighthouse unearthed thousands of original stones, which were carefully examined and reinforced in a specially designated “stone hospital.”

After thorough inspection and strengthening, these stones were lifted by cranes and positioned on a 4-meter-high podium. The completion of the lighthouse’s dome, adorned with an inscription proclaiming, “I am Emperor Nero. I built this lighthouse for the safety of sailors,” along with a dolphin relief, marks a significant milestone in the restoration process.

Dr. Şevket Aktaş, the head of the Patara Ancient City Excavation, highlighted that the original stones of the lighthouse were discovered in 2004 during the research led by Prof. Dr. Havva İşkan Işık. He described the lighthouse’s design, which features a square podium and two interlocking cylinders atop the central bedrock, where a fire once blazed at its peak. The team is now nearing the completion of this area and its dome.

Aktaş emphasized the importance of the lighthouse as a remarkable artifact that has endured from antiquity to the present day, showcasing its architectural significance. As the restoration process approaches its conclusion, it promises to make a substantial contribution to the scientific community, with plans to illuminate the lighthouse and open it to visitors.

Originally built by Emperor Nero in 64 AD, the lighthouse met its demise due to an earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Rhodes in 1481, with its remnants eventually buried beneath the sands of the harbor. Now, restored to reflect its original 2,000-year-old structure, texture, and architectural style, this lighthouse is set to become a valuable asset for researchers and a major attraction for tourists visiting Patara.