Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Kayaköy Most Visited Archaeological Site in 2025
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Kayaköy, a 5,000-year-old historical settlement located in Fethiye, one of Muğla’s leading tourist districts, became the most visited archaeological site in 2025.
Known as the “Ghost Village” due to being abandoned years ago and designated as a strictly protected sensitive area, Kayaköy attracted the highest number of domestic and foreign visitors among all archaeological sites in the district last year.
According to official figures, a total of 274,608 domestic and foreign tourists visited museums and archaeological sites in Fethiye in 2025. Of this number, 87,196 visitors toured the historical Kayaköy, allowing it to maintain its position as the most visited archaeological site in the region, as it has done for many years.
Kayaköy, which welcomed around 81,000 visitors in 2024, further increased its popularity in 2025. With its thousands of years of historical texture and unique atmosphere, the ancient settlement continued to be a major attraction for visitors throughout the year.
Following Kayaköy, the Amynthas Rock Tombs, also known as the Royal Tombs and overlooking Fethiye Bay, ranked second with 60,442 visitors in 2025.
In 2025, other museums and archaeological sites in Fethiye also attracted significant interest. The Kaunos ruins were visited by 44,769 people, the ancient city of Tlos by 41,571, Gemiler Island by 22,764, the ancient city of Letoon by 9,997, the ancient city of Kadyanda by 4,358, and the ancient city of Pınara by 3,511 visitors.
With its rich historical heritage and natural beauty, Fethiye continues to draw thousands of domestic and foreign tourists to its museums and archaeological sites every year.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyedeki-hayalet-koye-ziyaretci-akini
Fethiye Students Receive Energy Efficiency Training
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Municipality’s Climate Change and Zero Waste Directorate organised an informative seminar for high school students as part of Energy Efficiency Week.
The seminar was attended by 9th and 10th grade students and addressed key issues such as energy efficiency, climate change, energy saving practices and the importance of conscious consumption habits for environmental sustainability.
During the seminar, students were informed about how individual choices can contribute to reducing energy consumption and protecting natural resources.
Fethiye Municipality stated that raising awareness among young people on environmental issues is of great importance and emphasised that efforts will continue to support a more livable and sustainable future.
Source: Fethiye Belediye
Motorcycle Safety Training Held in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A “Motorcycle Theory Training” seminar was held at the Özer Olgun Culture Center, led by expert instructor Zafer Akçay.
In the district, where motorcycle use is widespread, the training aimed to raise awareness of safe riding practices. Participants received detailed information on traffic rules, correct riding techniques and the precautions that should be taken against potential risks on the road.
The seminar highlighted the importance of conscious and responsible motorcycle use in reducing accidents and improving overall traffic safety.
Fethiye Municipality stated that it will continue to value and support such training programmes in order to promote and strengthen a culture of safe riding throughout the district.
Source: Fethiye Belediye
Fethiye and Bodrum Top List for Illegal Buildings in Muğla
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The fight against illegal construction continues across Muğla, with recent inspections revealing that Fethiye and Bodrum have the highest number of unlicensed and illegal structures in the province.
According to studies carried out by the Muğla Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Fethiye ranks first with more than 7,000 illegal buildings. Bodrum follows with 6,112 illegal structures, of which 503 have already been demolished, while demolition orders have been issued for 5,609 others. Authorities stated that demolitions are being implemented gradually as legal processes are completed.
In Bodrum alone, intensified inspections in 2025 led to the detection of 680 new illegal buildings. Administrative procedures, including fines and demolition processes, have been initiated in line with current legislation. Most of the newly identified illegal structures were found in agricultural areas, protected sites and coastal zones, and numerous illegally built piers were also demolished.
Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık announced that inspections will be further increased ahead of the summer season, particularly during the tourism period. He emphasised that there will be zero tolerance for illegal construction and that all demolition decisions taken across Muğla will be fully implemented through coordinated efforts involving provincial authorities, district municipalities and law enforcement units.
Fethiye Municipality stated that it continues to fulfil its legal responsibilities in combating illegal and unlicensed construction in accordance with Law No. 3194 on Zoning. Municipal teams carry out field inspections, issue building suspension orders, and initiate demolition decisions through the municipal council when violations are not resolved within the legal timeframe. Demolition operations are carried out with all necessary safety measures, and when required, support is provided by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality in terms of machinery and technical equipment.
Municipal officials underlined that combating illegal construction is not only a legal obligation but also crucial for protecting the natural environment, safeguarding public interest and ensuring planned and sustainable urban development.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/kacak-yapilasmaya-gecit-yok-en-fazla-kacak-yapi-fethiye-ve-bodrumda
Muğla Expands Fleet to Combat Marine Pollution
Muğla – Muğla Metropolitan Municipality is increasing its waste collection capacity at sea by expanding its fleet as part of ongoing efforts to combat marine pollution.
Within this scope, five new waste collection boats are being added to the eight vessels currently operating in the Gulf of Gökova, Göcek and Dalaman bays. With the expanded fleet, the municipality aims to significantly increase its capacity to collect waste from the sea and strengthen environmental protection efforts.
As one of Turkey’s leading tourism destinations, Muğla continues its work without interruption to protect its seas. Waste collection boats are used to prevent environmental pollution caused by marine vessels, particularly in bays with heavy boat traffic, with a strong focus on protecting the marine ecosystem.
The waste collection boats operated by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality collect waste oil, bilge water, sewage and solid waste from boats, contributing to cleaner seas. The ongoing work in the Gulf of Gökova, Göcek and Dalaman bays both preserves marine cleanliness and supports the sustainability of natural life.
54-Year-Old Note from Italian Climbers Found in Kaçkar Mountains
Rize, TURKEY – Mountaineers climbing the Kaçkar Mountains in Turkey’s Black Sea region have uncovered a 54-year-old note left by Italian climbers during a 1972 expedition.
The discovery was made about a month and a half ago by CAMADAN Mountaineering and Winter Sports Specialized Club members, including President Metin Çolak, Hakan Demirci, Adem Şahin, Musa Kesimal and Ercüment Gümüş, while ascending the isolated 3,428-meter Atalani peak. Inside a summit cairn—a chimney-shaped structure used by climbers to mark their presence—they found an upside-down tin can weighted with stones containing a piece of paper wrapped in plastic. The note read: “20-8-72, Spedizione CAI Pordenone Italy, Quota 3510, Enzo Laconca, Giovanni Martin.”
Research by the team revealed that the note belonged to members of the Italian Club Alpino Italiano: Alleris Pizzur, Sisto Degan, Enzo Laconca, Gianni Martin and Ezio Migotto, who visited the region 54 years ago. After contacting the club via social media, the Turkish mountaineers established communication with the original climbers and shared photographs and details of the discovery.
Colak described the find as a surreal experience, saying, “It was as if the sense of time disappeared at that moment. It felt like they were there just before us. Yet none of the five of us who reached the summit that day were alive when this note was left there. It’s incredible.”
The Italian club plans to preserve the tin can and note and display them in a proposed mountaineering museum in Turkeys eastern Black Sea region. Officials have also expressed interest in attending the museum’s opening and connecting with mountaineers from that era.
The Kaçkar Mountains, known for their challenging and isolated peaks, continue to attract climbers from around the world, with historical ascents dating back decades, including a Czechoslovak expedition in 1969.
Source: Daily Sabah
Istanbul Launches Cleanup After Deadly Storm
Istanbul, TURKEY – Authorities in Istanbul launched a large-scale recovery operation on Jan. 9 after a violent storm swept through the Marmara and Aegean regions, killing three people and leaving extensive damage to the city’s infrastructure, historic monuments, and residential areas.
Powerful lodos winds, following days of meteorological warnings, struck Istanbul on Jan. 8, toppling trees, tearing off rooftops, and forcing the suspension of sea and air traffic. According to the Istanbul Governor’s Office, by early evening the storm had triggered 350 emergency reports, including 45 fallen trees, 89 damaged roofs, the collapse of an abandoned building, and one retaining wall.
Among the most symbolic incidents, the “alem,” the crescent-shaped finial atop the Mimar Sinan minaret of Hagia Sophia, was blown off and fell into the mosque’s courtyard. Turkey’s General Directorate of Foundations said the area was secured, and specialist teams will begin restoration once conditions allow. A falling tree also struck the Hagia Sophia complex during the storm.
The storm caused widespread disruption across the city. Trees collapsed onto vehicles, including four cars crushed along the Bakırköy coastal road, prompting a temporary closure. In Bahçelievler, one person was injured when a tree was blown over. In Avcılar and Kağıthane, roofs were torn from buildings, damaging nearby shops and cafes.
Maritime traffic was heavily affected, with boats capsizing or colliding with rocks along the coast, and ferry services suspended. The Bosphorus was briefly closed to ship traffic before reopening later in the evening. On the city’s outskirts, two trucks were overturned on the northern Marmara motorway, and in Sarıyer’s Kireçburnu, a historic lighthouse collapsed into the sea. Waves at Yenikapı flooded the shoreline, temporarily merging sea and land.
Air travel was disrupted, with dozens of flights canceled at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Beyond Istanbul, the storm proved deadly in other parts of Turkey. In the western city of Aydın, a 30-year-old worker was swept into the sea while working on a pier and lost his life.
Cleanup and repair operations are ongoing, with authorities prioritizing the restoration of infrastructure, historic sites, and the safety of residents affected by the storm.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.
Fethiye Ready to Host Ziraat Turkish Cup Match
Fethiye Municipality has completed all preparations for the Ziraat Turkish Cup match between Fethiyespor and Galatasaray, which will be played in Fethiye on Tursday 13th January 2026.
Municipal teams have finalised all necessary work on the pitch and its surrounding areas to ensure the match is held under optimal conditions. Efforts focused on pitch maintenance, infrastructure checks and environmental arrangements around the stadium.
In a statement, Fethiye Municipality said that all measures have been taken to welcome Galatasaray, one of Turkey’s most established football clubs, in the best possible way. The municipality also emphasised that the aim is to ensure the match is played smoothly and without any problems.
The Ziraat Turkish Cup encounter is expected to attract significant attention from football fans and contribute to the sporting atmosphere in Fethiye.
Tickets are available at the Fethiyespor Store and Café and online. Don’t miss the chance to support the team live at the stadium!
Fethiyespor Transfer Update
Fethiyespor has officially signed İrfan Akgün (midfielder, previously Arnavutköy Belediyespor), Melih Okutan (right-wing, previously Kırklalerispor), Ali Mert Aydın (left-back, returning from Karaman FK), and Nurullah Aslan (goalkeeper, previously Yeni Mersin İdman Yurdu). Each player completed their contracts at signing ceremonies attended by club officials, including Football Branch Manager Uğur Keskin and other managers. The club warmly welcomes all four to the navy blue and white jersey and wishes them success in the upcoming season.
League Matches
The team’s next league match is on Saturday 17 January, away against Somaspor. Kick-off will be at 15:00.
Match Result
Fethiyespor lost their home match against Ankara Demirspor on Saturday with a final score of 0-1.
Following recent matches, Fethiyespor remains in 14th place in the league table.
Join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar group on Facebook for more news and updates
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 57.71 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 57.95 TL.
The US Dollar bought 43.05 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 43.03 TL.
The Euro bought 50.09 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 50.46 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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