Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Skyfall Arena Announces Biggest New Year’s Celebration
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye’s world-famous entertainment venue, Skyfall Arena, has unveiled a special program for New Year’s Eve, promising an unforgettable celebration to welcome 2026. As part of the exclusive event on December 31st, the venue will offer unlimited drinks for 3,000 TL per person.
Skyfall Arena, known for hosting thousands of local and international visitors each season, has also welcomed numerous world-renowned artists, further boosting the region’s international profile. The venue’s modern infrastructure, impressive stage design, and global-standard entertainment concept make it a standout destination for party-goers.
Officials reported that reservations are filling up fast and encouraged guests to secure their spots early. With a special concept and high-energy DJ performances, Skyfall Arena is preparing to give visitors an energetic and unforgettable start to 2026.
Fethiyespor Prepares Stadium Ahead of Galatasaray Match
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Preparations are in full swing at Fethiyespor as the club gets ready to face Galatasaray in the Ziraat Turkish Cup. Both on-field and facility work have intensified to ensure the match is hosted at the highest standard.
Speaking to SED Media, Fethiyespor Press Spokesperson Selahattin Aydemir emphasized that the ongoing improvements are not due to deficiencies, but are aimed at welcoming a major club like Galatasaray to Fethiye in the best possible way.
Ahead of the crucial match, Fethiyespor Manager Uğur Keskin and Fethiye Municipality Council Member Metin Sevinç paid a visit to Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, who confirmed that the municipality would mobilize all available resources to ensure the match could take place in Fethiye.
Aydemir noted that the club has been working intensively on preparations for about a week and expressed his satisfaction with the support provided by the municipality. Regarding stadium renovations, he explained that arrangements have begun under the demolished grandstand, with plans to install a portable grandstand accommodating 2,000 spectators. These measures will raise the stadium’s capacity to approximately 7,000 for the Galatasaray match.
“The work we are doing is not to correct a deficiency,” Aydemir said. “These are improvements made entirely to host a large club like Galatasaray in Fethiye in the best possible way. All necessary discussions with the Federation have been completed, and the process is proceeding smoothly.”
Highlighting the significant role of the municipality, Aydemir concluded, “With the support of Fethiye Municipality, we hope to complete this process successfully and proudly represent our city.”
Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Şişli and Usküdar, Istanbul
Istanbul – Early Sunday morning, heavy downpours in Istanbul led to significant water accumulation on roads in Şişli and Usküdar, resulting in flooding in several homes and businesses.
The intense rainfall followed a “yellow code” meteorological alert issued by the provincial governor’s office for thunderstorms across the city. The downpour created operational challenges in multiple districts, with large pools of water making mobility difficult for both drivers and pedestrians.
In Usküdar’s Çengelköy neighborhood, a clogged storm drain caused flooding on a main roadway. Some drivers struggled to pass through the water, while others were forced to turn back—moments captured on mobile phone cameras.
In Şişli, several homes and workplaces were inundated. Firefighters and teams from the Istanbul Water and Sewage Administration (ISKI) responded promptly to the affected areas.
In the Merkez neighborhood, a vehicle became stranded in a pool of water and malfunctioned. The driver exited safely, and the vehicle was later towed. Footage of the incident circulated on social media.
Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid flooded streets as rainfall continues to affect parts of the city.
Source: Daily Sabah
St. Nicholas Church in Demre Moves Toward UNESCO World Heritage Nomination
Antalya, TURKEY – The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, Antalya—the town where the historical figure who inspired Santa Claus once lived and was buried—is moving toward a UNESCO World Heritage nomination as archaeological work at the site accelerates. The church, one of the most significant destinations for Orthodox Christians, attracts over half a million visitors annually.
“We are planning the necessary preparations for St. Nicholas Church to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. We are very excited to carry out this process in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture,” said excavation director Ebru Fatma Fındık.
St. Nicholas was born in Patara, an important Lycian port city, and later served as bishop of Myra, modern-day Demre, in the fourth century. Celebrated for helping the poor and performing miracles, he became the inspiration for the modern Santa Claus. He died in 365 A.D. and was buried in the church that now bears his name, preserved today as the St. Nicholas Memorial Museum.
Fındık, leading a 20-member excavation team, described the church as “one of the world’s most prestigious archaeological areas,” requiring meticulous planning, conservation, and scientific oversight. Much of the original structure lies beneath roughly 6 meters of alluvial deposits carried by the ancient Myra River.
Last year, researchers attracted global attention after uncovering a previously unknown sarcophagus beneath layers of alluvium deposited by medieval floods and tsunamis. While the tomb is believed to possibly belong to St. Nicholas, it has not yet been opened. The discovery will be featured in the upcoming issue of Archaeologie in Deutschland, one of Germany’s leading archaeology journals.
This year’s excavations focused on the church’s northeast section, exploring spaces linked to healing rituals traditionally associated with St. Nicholas’s miracles. Archaeologists uncovered evidence of a collapsed wall caused by historic flooding, along with ceramics and coins used to date the site’s layers.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey Withdraws 20.3 Billion Cubic Meters of Water Amid Growing Pressure on Resources
Ankara, TURKEY – Turkey withdrew 20.3 billion cubic meters of water from various sources last year, according to figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on December 9, highlighting mounting pressure on the country’s water resources amid recurring drought and rising demand.
Freshwater accounted for 45.4% of total withdrawals, while seawater—mainly used for cooling at power plants—made up the remainder. Municipal networks, which serve nearly 99% of urban residents, withdrew 7.5 billion cubic meters, primarily sourced from dams and groundwater.
Per-capita water use varied across major cities. On average, municipalities drew 255 liters per person per day, with Istanbul at 203 liters, Ankara 270 liters, and İzmir 215 liters.
The data comes as Turkey faces intensifying drought conditions, shrinking reservoirs, and long-term water security concerns. Authorities have warned that rapid urbanization, climate-driven dry spells, and aging infrastructure are straining supplies in major cities.
To address these challenges, officials have recently finalized drafts of a new water law aimed at improving management and safeguarding the country’s water resources.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
1,600-Year-Old Mosaics in Sinop to Be Showcased in New Visitor Center
Sinop, TURKEY – A new project in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Sinop will create a visitor center to display recently restored 1,600-year-old floor mosaics. The center, located at the Balatlar Building Complex, will feature exhibition halls, elevated viewing platforms, wooden walking paths, and informational panels, designed to enhance cultural tourism while preserving the archaeological site.
Under the direction of art historian Gülgün Köroğlu since 2010, long-term excavations at the Balatlar site have uncovered artifacts spanning multiple civilizations, including Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. The mosaics, originating from the late Roman/early Byzantine era, are among the site’s most significant findings.
Sinop Governor Mustafa Özarslan highlighted the site’s historical and architectural value, stating the project aims to present the area “in a scientifically guided, well-organized and controlled environment.” He emphasized that the visitor center will prioritize both preservation and effective management, ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
The center’s design will harmonize with the historical surroundings, using natural materials while providing modern facilities to support tourism. This initiative reflects Turkey’s ongoing commitment to protecting its cultural heritage and making it accessible to both domestic and international audiences.
Source: Yeni Şafak
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