Fethiye Müzesi

The idea of displaying local archaeological artifacts in a dedicated space in this artifact-rich district was first conceived by officials in the early 1960s, forming the initial nucleus of the museum. Later, large stone artifacts gathered from the surrounding area were preserved in storage, and with the construction of a new building in 1987, a modern museology approach emerged, offering these artifacts to visitors. The Fethiye Museum consists of two halls: one dedicated to archaeology and the other to ethnography. Almost all of the artifacts in these halls were collected from Fethiye and its surroundings. The archaeology section primarily features a large collection of ceramic artifacts arranged in chronological order. The most significant piece from the period spanning the 3rd millennium BCE to the end of the Eastern Roman Empire is undoubtedly a stele that contributed greatly to the deciphering of Lycian. This stele features an inscription in three different languages. Another notable piece in the museum is the "Dove Girl Statue" along with two statues of women beside it, related to the Artemis cult, which indicates the presence of an ancient Artemis temple in the city. In the ethnography hall, visitors can find traditional handwoven textiles, embroidery, kaftans, three-piece garments, and silver jewelry unique to the region. This section also features a fully operational wooden dastar loom. In the museum’s open area, large stone artifacts, sarcophagi, and the "Izraza Monument," a product of Lycian culture, are exhibited.