Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Language Café Extends Free Language Training
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Free language training sessions continue at the Language Café, where resident foreigners and Turkish citizens in Fethiye come together to learn and practise new languages in a shared classroom environment. Participants enjoy a friendly, supportive atmosphere that encourages one-on-one conversation and real-time practice.
Those wishing to register for the course can call +90 530 875 64 65.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Producers’ Market Undergoes Extensive Cleaning
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Municipality has completed extensive cleaning and organisation work at the Producers’ Market, expanding its regular hygiene efforts to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for residents. This week’s work included thorough cleaning of the floors and counter areas, as well as repainting over graffiti on the walls to give the market a more orderly and sanitary appearance.
The municipality noted that these improvements are part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining high hygiene standards across Fethiye.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
District Governor Akkaya Conducts Inspection in Kayaköy
Fethiye District Governor Fatih Akkaya visited the Kayaköy neighborhood, receiving updates from officials on the area’s current condition and its significant cultural heritage sites.
During the inspection, Governor Akkaya met with Fethiye Museum Director Deniz Ongun and Kayaköy Neighborhood Headman Şenol Öztürk. Ongun and Öztürk provided comprehensive information on ongoing projects, the neighborhood’s needs, and continuing efforts to preserve Kayaköy’s historical and cultural values.
The visit highlighted the district administration’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the region’s heritage and supporting local initiatives.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-kaymakami-akkaya-kayakoy-de-incelemelerde-bulundu/110890/?p=2
Expert Warns Sındırgı Facing “Unprecedented Earthquake Storm”
Balıkesir, TURKEY – Sındırgı, in the Balıkesir province, has been experiencing what experts describe as an “extraordinary earthquake storm” for the past three months. According to Gazi University Faculty of Engineering faculty member and disaster management expert Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bülent Özmen, the scale and intensity of the seismic activity is unlike anything previously recorded in Turkish history.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Özmen said that nearly 18,000 tremors have occurred in the region since the 6.1-magnitude earthquake on August 10. Of these, two were magnitude 6.1 and around 80 reached magnitude 4. “We are facing an earthquake activity level we can call an ‘earthquake storm’—an unprecedented number of earthquakes in Turkish history,” he said.
Özmen noted that the activity appears to be driven by both tectonic stress and magmatic intrusion, making the situation unusual. He stressed that while predicting the future course of the earthquakes is not possible, detailed geological and geophysical studies are urgently needed.
He recommended establishing temporary earthquake observation stations in Sındırgı and surrounding districts to more accurately track micro-earthquake behaviour and seismic parameters. Monitoring groundwater levels, radon gas changes, electrical resistivity, magnetic field fluctuations, and crustal deformation could provide valuable early signals, he added.
“All observations should be integrated into a central dataset, and a comprehensive report should be prepared by the AFAD Earthquake Science Board,” Özmen said. “The public must be kept informed regularly to prevent misinformation.”
Calling the situation “extraordinary”, Özmen argued that extraordinary measures may be needed. With AFAD having recently designated the area a Disaster Zone Affecting General Life, he noted that further steps—such as declaring a disaster-prone zone or even a state of emergency—may be necessary. He emphasised the importance of expanding temporary shelters, supporting voluntary relocation, and ensuring uninterrupted education and healthcare services.
Özmen also pointed to previous scientific reports showing that the Simav Fault Zone and Gelenbe Fault are capable of producing earthquakes up to magnitude 7. While predicting timing is impossible, he noted that 31 magnitude-6 earthquakes would be required to release the energy of a single magnitude-7 event, and only two such quakes have occurred in Sındırgı so far.
“This is a highly unusual and stressful period for the people of Sındırgı,” Özmen said. “Extraordinary measures must be taken.”
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/sindirgi-uc-aydir-olaganustu-deprem-firtinasi-yasiyor/110928/
Temple of Zeus Discovered in Limyra After 43-Year Search
Antalya, TURKEY – A portion of the Temple of Zeus, long known from epigraphic sources but never located despite 43 years of research, has been discovered in the ancient city of Limyra in Antalya’s Finike district. The find was made during ongoing excavations in the western section of the city.
Limyra, situated at the foot of Mount Toçak about 9 kilometres northeast of Finike, was one of the easternmost cities of the Lycian civilization. It served as the capital during the reign of King Perikle and later became an episcopal centre in the Byzantine period. The city is notable for its extensive rock-cut tombs, city walls, the Heroon of Perikle, a 6,000-seat theatre, Roman bathhouse, the Ptolemaion monument, a main street, and a monumental tomb dedicated to Gaius Caesar.
Current excavations are being carried out under the coordination of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kudret Sezgin, in partnership with the Austrian Archaeological Institute. Sezgin, a faculty member at Hittite University’s Department of Archaeology, said archaeological evidence places Limyra’s earliest urbanisation around 2,400 years ago.
Sezgin explained that Lycian King Perikle undertook major urban development in the city, and that Limyra was incorporated into the Heritage for the Future Project in 2023. He said this year’s excavations produced a major breakthrough:
“We discovered a temple known from epigraphic sources since 1982, but whose location had remained unknown. Archaeological findings confirm that this structure is a Temple of Zeus built during the classical period. Written sources also tell us that Zeus was the chief deity of the city during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.”
Archaeologists uncovered the main entrance section of the temple, including the eastern façade and the ante walls (porch structures). The façade measures 15 metres in width. Sezgin noted that a wall from the Byzantine period had been constructed on top of the temple remains, while the sacred chamber lies beneath a privately owned orange grove just outside the existing walls. Excavations will continue there following expropriation procedures.
Ceramics found at the site indicate that settlement in the area may date back 5,000 years, prompting researchers to re-evaluate long-held theories about Limyra’s urban development. Sezgin stated:
“It has now been concluded that the monumental gate known as the propylon, located under Roman Street, served as the entrance to the temple’s sacred precinct in the classical period. We also determined that the structure previously identified as a Hellenistic city wall was in fact the temple’s protective boundary wall.”
The discovery marks a significant addition to the archaeological understanding of Limyra and provides new insights into Lycian religious architecture and city planning.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/limyra-antik-kenti-nde-43-yildir-aranan-zeus-tapinagi-bulundu/110929/
SBA Butler Academy Recognised as Region’s First Professional Butler School
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The SBA Butler Academy, operating in Fethiye and Istanbul, has gained international attention as Turkey and the Middle East’s first and only professional butler academy offering training at global luxury-service standards. The institution is the only academy from Turkey to appear on the “World’s Top 7 Butler Schools” list, marking a new milestone for the sector.
Responding to the country’s rapidly rising demand for qualified personnel in luxury tourism, ultra-luxury residence management, mega yacht operations, and VIP guest relations, the academy distinguishes itself with a fully hands-on training model. Courses are delivered in real villas, specially designed training areas, and professional operational simulation environments, ensuring graduates meet international competency levels.
The academy’s curriculum includes advanced modules such as:
- International protocol management
- Guest experience design
- Yacht and private residence services
- Advanced service techniques
- Communication and representation competencies
- Crisis management and operational coordination
In a statement, the SBA Butler Academy Directorate highlighted the institution’s long-term goals:
“Our primary mission is to make Turkey a regional centre for luxury service training and to train world-class professionals for the sector. At SBA, we don’t just provide training; we contribute to Turkey’s international brand value.”
SBA graduates are increasingly sought after in private mansions, premium hotels, mega yacht operations, and international residential management companies. This strong demand reflects the academy’s high educational standards and its respected professional methodology.
By continuing to supply qualified talent for the luxury service industry, the SBA Butler Academy enhances Turkey’s global competitiveness and contributes to the evolution of sectoral standards.
SBA Butler Academy Corporate Communications
Email: info@sbabutleracademy
Phone: +90 533 512 98 48
Website: www.butleracademy.com.tr
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/turkiye-ve-orta-dogunun-ilk-ve-tek-profesyonel-butler-akademisi
Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park Draws 15,000 Divers in Two Years
Çanakkale, TURKEY – The Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park, established in 2021 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Gallipoli Historic Site Directorate, has rapidly become one of Türkiye’s most captivating tourism attractions, luring 15,000 divers in just two years to explore its rare underwater wartime heritage.
Located off the storied shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula, the park offers an extraordinary dive into history—literally. Beneath its waters lie 23 sunken warships and wreck sites dating back more than 110 years, each bearing silent testimony to pivotal moments of World War I. Among the most visited wrecks are HMS Majestic, the remains of Ertuğrul Bay, Massena and Saghalien, the Helles Barges, wrecks off Tekke Bay (W Beach), and HMS Triumph.
İsmail Kaşdemir, head of the Gallipoli Historic Site Directorate, said the underwater park has quickly become one of the world’s leading centers for scuba diving.
“Our 23 wrecks and 12 diving points have transformed the park into a global magnet for diving enthusiasts,” he said.
Kaşdemir highlighted the cultural significance of the underwater site:
“From the beginning, we understood the immense treasure beneath these waters. After careful work, we created the world’s only World War I–themed underwater park. Top divers, global media, and television channels come here because each wreck beneath Gallipoli’s waters tells its own story.”
Diver interest is rising sharply, with 5,000 visitors in 2024 and expectations of 10,000 divers in 2025. Kaşdemir described the atmosphere as “a journey through a time tunnel,” allowing visitors to grasp the impact of the Gallipoli Campaign from a striking underwater perspective.
As Çanakkale’s reputation grows as an international cultural hub, efforts are underway to elevate the park’s profile even further. The directorate plans to present the site at a major global diving fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, this January.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, these initiatives aim to boost international visibility.
“With Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy’s strong support, we are confident the Gallipoli Historic Underwater Park will become one of the top three diving destinations worldwide,” Kaşdemir said. “At the same time, we are working to expand diving opportunities to additional coastal and inland locations across Turkey.”
The park continues to grow as a world-class attraction, inviting divers to descend into history and witness a chapter of the past frozen beneath the waves.
Source: Daily Sabah
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.
Fethiyespor Parts Ways with Manager Selahattin Dinçel
Dinçel Says He Is “Blessed by Fethiyespor and Fethiye” as His Tenure Ends
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiyespor has officially parted ways with manager Selahattin Dinçel following a period of poor results in the Nesine 2nd League Red Group. The decision came after the team’s 1–1 home draw against 68 Aksaray Belediyespor, which prompted fans to call for both the board and Dinçel to resign. His departure was finalised after a meeting with Club President Esat Bakırcı.
Under Dinçel, Fethiyespor recorded 3 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses in 12 league matches this season, and managed to collect only one point in six away fixtures. At a farewell press conference held at the club’s facilities, Dinçel apologised to supporters for the team’s performance and acknowledged the high expectations surrounding the club.
Dinçel, who previously led Fethiyespor to a championship and later helped stabilise the team during a difficult second term, reflected on his tenure, noting both the achievements and challenges. He explained that budget limitations, rising transfer fees and changes to federation rules had contributed to squad-building difficulties at the start of the season.
Despite the team’s struggles, Dinçel emphasised his affection for Fethiyespor and Fethiye, stating: “I love Fethiyespor and Fethiye very much. I am truly blessed by Fethiyespor and Fethiye. No matter what happens, I will always be by their side with a loving heart.”
He stressed that his departure was mutual, saying, “I neither resigned nor was I forced to leave; we sat down and reached an agreement.”
Dinçel was bid farewell with flowers by Fethiyespor Supporters Association President Özkan Hırçın, association members, fans and club officials. He expressed gratitude to Club President Esat Bakırcı, the administrators, the supporters, Mayor Alim Karaca and local media for their support throughout his tenure.
Speaking on wider club matters, Dinçel also highlighted the development of the youth academy but noted that improved training facilities remain essential for long-term success.
Regarding allegations linking players to a recent betting scandal, Dinçel said he had no involvement and urged the public to wait for official findings.
Dinçel concluded by expressing confidence in the team’s future, saying he believes Fethiyespor has the strength to continue competing for success even after his departure.
Source: Fethiye TV
Match Schedule Announced for Ziraat Turkish Cup 4th Qualifying Round
The schedule for the Ziraat Turkish Cup 4th Qualifying Round has been officially announced. According to the fixture list, Fethiyespor’s fourth-round match against Bandırmaspor will take place on Thursday, December 4th at 1:30 PM at Fethiye District Stadium.
The club shared that preparations for the upcoming cup fixture are ongoing as the team looks to secure advancement to the next round.
Fethiyespor Announces League Postponement
By decision of the Turkish Football Federation, the league has been postponed for two weeks. Fethiyespor closely following all developments and awaiting an official clarification as soon as possible.
Here is the revised football schedule covering the first half of the season.
League Match
The team’s next match will be played away against Bursaspor on Sunday, November 30. Kick-off time to be announced
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 55.48 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.55 TL.
The US Dollar bought 42.16 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 42.20 TL.
The Euro bought 49.03 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 48.83 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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