Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Long-Awaited Alternative Road Construction Begins in Ölüdeniz
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Construction has begun on a long-awaited 3.5-kilometre alternative road in Ölüdeniz, designed to ease heavy traffic congestion during the busy summer months. The new route will start from the Montana Hill road entrance, pass behind the cable car building, and connect to Kıdrak Street.
The project aims to provide easier access to Faralya without the need to enter the Kumburnu Beach area, where traffic bottlenecks are common, particularly in peak season. Officials say the road is planned to be completed in June, ahead of the summer influx of visitors.
Bülent Uysal, President of the Fethiye Hotel Owners Association, said the project addresses a long-standing problem in the region.
“We experience serious traffic congestion in Ölüdeniz, especially in July and August. We are very pleased that our government has responded to our request for an alternative road, which we have been expressing for years. We thank our Forestry Directorate and our Member of Parliament for their efforts in this process,” he said.
Uysal added that the completion of the road is expected to significantly reduce congestion during the busiest months.
“We think that this alternative road, which is under construction, will significantly reduce the traffic congestion experienced during the summer months. We have also received information that the road will be completely finished on June 1st. Hopefully, the work will progress as planned and the road will be finished by June 1st. Thus, we will experience less traffic congestion in July and August.”
He noted that the terrain presents some challenges for construction.
“It is stated that the road will be approximately 3.5 kilometres long. However, as can be seen from the images, the work may take some time because the area is quite rocky terrain. Officials state that the rocks will be broken up and the road opened for approximately two months. Our hope is that the work will be completed without any accidents and that this road will be put into service for citizens as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will all have the opportunity to see this road opened together.”
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/oludenizde-yillardir-beklenen-alternatif-yol-yapiliyor
Rockfall Danger on Faralya Road in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Residents in the Faralya neighbourhood of Fethiye are raising concerns after rock fragments dislodged by recent heavy rains fell onto the road, creating a potential safety risk for drivers and pedestrians.
Following the rainfall, rocks and debris were reported on sections of the Faralya road, prompting warnings from locals about the ongoing danger. While teams have cleared the initial rocks and stones, intermittent rockfalls from the slope above the road continue to cause concern.
Faralya Neighbourhood Headman Hasan Karaburun said that work had already taken place to make the road safer, with machinery deployed to remove hazardous material.
Karaburun stated that a grader is currently being used for road clearing and that teams are monitoring the situation closely. However, he warned that rock fragments continue to fall from the hillside from time to time.
He also noted that teams from the Muğla Forestry Regional Directorate have inspected the area. According to Karaburun, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras and relevant department heads are determined to resolve the issue, but necessary procedures must first be completed before permanent measures can be implemented.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to assess the risk and take the required precautions to improve safety along the road. Residents are advised to exercise caution when travelling through the area until the situation is fully resolved.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-faralya-yolunda-kaya-tehlikesi
Fethiye Municipality Water Sports Club Achieves Strong Results at Aegean Cup
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Athletes from Fethiye Municipality Water Sports Club delivered an impressive performance at the Turkish Rowing Federation Aegean Cup Rowing Races held in Bodrum, earning multiple podium finishes and regional recognition.
The club’s young rowers secured 1st place in the Junior Men’s Double Sculls category and 1st place in the Junior Quadruple Mixed category, highlighting their strength across both team and mixed events. The team also achieved 2nd place in the Junior Women’s Double Sculls, 2nd place in the Junior Men’s Quadruple Sculls, and 2nd place in the Junior Women’s Quadruple Sculls categories.
With these results, Fethiye Municipality Water Sports Club finished second overall in the Aegean Region classification, marking a significant achievement for the team.
Officials congratulated the athletes and coaches for their dedication and performance, noting that the results brought pride to Fethiye and demonstrated the club’s continued development. Best wishes for continued success were also extended to all team members who contributed to the achievement.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Muğla Receives 56.3 Billion TL Investment in Agriculture and Water Projects over 23 years
Muğla, TURKEY – Muğla has received a total investment of 56 billion 348 million TL from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry over the past 23 years, funding major irrigation, water storage, flood protection and rural development projects across the province.
According to ministry officials, 23 irrigation facilities have been built, opening 182,470 decares of agricultural land to irrigation and supporting farmers across the region. In total, 124 facilities have been completed, alongside 10 dams and 11 ponds, creating a water storage capacity of 496 million cubic metres.
Construction is also continuing on two dams and three reservoirs, which are expected to provide irrigation water to an additional 11,110 decares of land once completed. Officials said the projects aim to maximise water efficiency and support agricultural productivity.
Drinking water infrastructure has also been expanded. Facilities completed over the past 23 years now provide 14.66 million cubic metres of drinking water annually, meeting the needs of approximately 780,338 people across Muğla.
Flood protection has been another major focus. A total of 63 flood control facilities have been completed, protecting Muğla city centre, 96 settlements and 70,010 decares of land. Ten additional flood control projects are currently under construction as authorities work to address risks linked to changing climate conditions.
Land consolidation efforts have also progressed, with 106,150 decares registered under land consolidation and field development projects aimed at improving agricultural efficiency.
Energy production has been boosted through water-based projects, with 10 hydroelectric power plants put into operation, generating 945 GWh of energy annually. A further nine hydroelectric plants are currently in the planning and design stage.
Officials also confirmed that three new water structures — a dam, a pond and an irrigation facility — were completed in 2025 at a total cost of 624 million TL, adding to the long-term investment aimed at strengthening Muğla’s agricultural infrastructure and water management.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/muglaya-23-yilda-56-milyar-348-milyon-tllik-yatirim
Handcraftsmanship in Fethiye Facing Decline as Workshops Struggle to Stay Afloat
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A Fethiye-based artisan has warned that the handcraft sector is facing the threat of extinction as registered workshops struggle to compete with unregulated and unregistered production.
Handan Yoldaş, who has been producing handmade gift items in Fethiye for around 10 years, said uncontrolled sales and illegal production are making it increasingly difficult for legitimate businesses to survive.
Yoldaş explained that she began creating handcrafted products as a small hobby at home, but growing demand led her to establish a workshop and expand production. However, she said the sector has been shrinking in recent years.
“Unfortunately, handcraftsmanship is not valued as it should be. Places that employ uninsured workers and produce illegally both exploit labour and devalue our work. This situation opens the door to the disappearance of a profession that has been built with years of effort,” she said.
She added that uncontrolled sales — particularly in magnet production — are placing significant pressure on businesses that operate legally.
“Businesses that pay their taxes, employ workers, and are insured cannot cope with this burden. Costs are increasing, and we cannot sell our products at their true value. As a result, both the business suffers losses, and we are unable to provide the housewives we employ with the income they deserve,” Yoldaş said.
Highlighting the effort behind handmade products, Yoldaş explained that magnet production involves multiple stages and skilled labour.
“First, we have a model made by a sculptor for the magnet we design. After the demo arrives, a mould is taken in our other workshop in the industrial area. Then the casting, sanding and airbrushing stages begin. Afterwards, the products are distributed to the housewives. Once the painting process is complete, they undergo magnetisation, varnishing and packaging processes. In short, a magnet goes through a long and labour-intensive process, passing from hand to hand.”
Yoldaş called for greater oversight and support for registered businesses, warning that without action, traditional handcrafted production in Fethiye could gradually disappear.
Ownership of Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern Transferred to Foundations Directorate, Legal Dispute Begins
Istanbul, TURKEY – The General Directorate of Foundations has officially registered ownership of Istanbul’s historic Basilica Cistern, previously held by the Istanbul Municipality, prompting a legal dispute between the two authorities.
The municipality said it discovered the change on April 1 during a routine review of land registry records, adding that no formal notification, court ruling or ongoing judicial process had been communicated prior to the transfer. Officials described the move as procedurally irregular and confirmed that legal action would be taken.
The General Directorate of Foundations, operating under the Culture and Tourism Ministry, has previously cited Article 30 of Turkey’s Foundations Law as the legal basis for similar transfers. The provision allows properties originally established as foundation assets to be reassigned to their respective foundations.
However, the Istanbul Municipality argues that no conclusive evidence has been presented demonstrating that the Basilica Cistern qualifies as a foundation property. Municipal officials also claim that recent regulatory changes have broadened interpretations, allowing properties with indirect historical associations — such as past repairs or support by foundations — to be included.
The issue has drawn political attention, with references to earlier transfers of prominent Istanbul landmarks, including Galata Tower and Gezi Park, to the same authority. In March, an Istanbul court ruled that the management and ownership of Galata Tower would remain with the General Directorate of Foundations, rejecting a legal challenge filed by the municipality.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently imprisoned in Silivri, criticised the decision, stating: “If a ‘seizure’ decision has been taken, they are neither heeding the law nor observing justice.”
A major tourist attraction, the Basilica Cistern reopened in 2022 following restoration by the Istanbul Municipality. According to municipal figures, more than 10 million visitors have entered the site since then, with daily attendance rising sharply after renovation.
The transfer places future maintenance and operational authority under the central administration, while the municipality’s legal challenge is expected to proceed.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Mount Nemrut Reopens to Visitors After Winter Closure
Adıyaman, TURKEY – The monumental statues of the Kommagene Kingdom at Mount Nemrut have reopened to visitors after winter road closures caused by heavy snowfall, welcoming the first tourists of the new season at an altitude of 2,150 metres.
Renowned for offering some of the world’s most spectacular sunrise and sunset views, the Mount Nemrut Archaeological Site — listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — began receiving visitors again after access roads were reopened on April 4.
Located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, the historic site sits at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilisations. It is famous for its monumental tomb, towering stone statues and the tumulus of the Kommagene Kingdom, which rises 50 metres high and spans approximately 150 metres in diameter.
Roads leading to the summit had been closed during the winter months due to heavy snow. Bilal Mente, an official from the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, said access was restored after crews cleared the route.
“This year, we expect a busy tourism season. Domestic and international visitors have started arriving,” Mente said. “The colossal statues, still partially covered in snow, create a spectacular view.”
Early visitors shared their impressions of the reopening. İsmail Özer, visiting from Muğla with his wife, said the snowy setting made the experience even more memorable.
“It was worth coming. The snowy landscape was breathtaking. When we reached the summit, the statues were half-covered in snow, creating a truly mesmerising sight. Seeing these ancient monuments under a blanket of snow is deeply moving. I highly recommend everyone visit this extraordinary place,” he said.
French tourist Coline Maupas described her first visit as “breathtaking,” adding: “Türkiye is a beautiful country. Mount Nemrut is a bit cold, but the view is amazing. I plan to return in the summer.”
Another visitor from France, Mathilde Baron, also praised the site. “I’m delighted to see the statues. It’s an impressive and beautiful site. I visited Istanbul before, and now we are already planning to come back in the summer,” she said.
The UNESCO-listed destination attracts thousands of visitors each year, drawn by its historical significance and panoramic views, with the snow-dusted statues offering a striking start to the new tourism season.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Connect with us on social media for regular updates.
Follow us on UK Travel
UK Travel is part of Fethiye Times — connecting local life in Turkey with travel inspiration from the UK.
Follow UK Travel and let us take you on a journey across the nation — one story, one adventure, and one discovery at a time.
Start your journey now 
https://fethiyetimes.com/uk-travel/
