A Lycian legend explains the source of the name Telmessos as follows: The god Apollo falls in love with the youngest daughter of the King of Phoenicia, Agenor. He disguises himself as a small dog and thus, gains the love of the shy, withdrawn daughter. After he reappears as a handsome man, they have a son, who they name 'Telmessos' (the land of lights).

The city became part of the Persian Empire after the invasion of the Persian general Harpagos in 547 BC, along with other Lycian and Carian cities. Telmessos then joined the Attic-Delos Union (Delian League) established in mid-5th century BC. and, although it later left the union and became an independent city, it continued its relations with the union until the 4th century BC


Very little is known of the city during the Byzantine times. Surviving buildings attest to considerable prosperity during late Antiquity, but most were abandoned in the 7th–8th centuries due to the Arab-Byzantine Wars.^{[citation needed]} The city was fortified in the 8th century, and appears as "Telmissos or Anastasioupolis" ca. 800. By the 10th century, the ancient name was forgotten and it became known as Makre or Makri (Μάκρη, "long one"), from the name of the island at the entrance to the harbour.^[4] There are signs of renewed prosperity in the 12-13th centuries: the city walls were enlarged, a report from 1106 names Makre a centre for perfume production, and geographical works from the 13th century describe the city as a commercial centre. The area fell to the Turks in the late 12th or early 13th century.^[5]

Telmessos was ruled by the Anatolian beylik of Menteşe starting in 1284, under the name Beskaza.

It became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1424, and was called مكرى Meğri until 1934

an excellent vacation choice. The lovely bays, beaches of Fethiye and its

fruitful lands surrounded with green pine forests are waiting for you. You

will feel your vacation turning into excitement in the city of lights and

witness how history and culture merge.

tourists visiting our city, and contribute to the amount of currency

entering our country.

With every issue of our magazine, we try to introduce the natural

beauties and cultural riches in our districts.

I would like to thank all individuals and organisations that have

contributed for the success of our country’s and Muğla’s tourism,

and wish them health, happiness, and prosperity.