The people of Fethiye are known as “Beşkazalı,” and the name “Beşkaza” is used to refer to Fethiye and its surrounding area. However, despite its common usage, there is no specific settlement officially called Beşkaza. So, what does Beşkaza mean, and where does it come from?
Historical Background
The name “Beşkaza” dates back to the late Ottoman period, particularly the mid-19th century administrative reforms. During this time, Meğri (the former name of Fethiye) became the centre of a district that was organised into five separate judicial and administrative areas (kaza).
In Ottoman administrative terminology, a kaza referred to a district governed by a kaymakam (district governor) and overseen in legal matters by a kadı (judge). In the Meğri region, five such districts were linked under one administrative structure. Because of this arrangement, the area became known collectively as “Beş Kaza,” meaning “Five Districts.”
The Five Districts Traditionally Associated with Beşkaza:
Meğri (today’s Fethiye – the central district)
Üzümlü
Ören (also known historically as Ağridos)
Kestep
Seki
These districts were administratively connected, with Meğri serving as the central authority. Over time, the expression “Beşkaza” became a regional identifier rather than an official place name.
Beşkaza in Modern Times
In 1914, the name Meğri was officially changed to Fethiye, in honour of Fethi Bey, one of the first Ottoman pilots martyred in 1914. Although administrative structures evolved and the original Ottoman district system was replaced, the term “Beşkaza” remained in local usage.
Today, residents still proudly describe themselves as “Beşkazalı,” reflecting a strong cultural identity rooted in the region’s Ottoman administrative past.
The term “Beşkaza” therefore does not refer to a single town, but to a historical administrative union that shaped the identity of Fethiye and its surrounding settlements. It remains an enduring symbol of the area’s heritage.
Source: Fethiye TV
