Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Time Out Magazine Names Lycian Way “World’s Most Beautiful Hiking Route.”
Fethiye, MUĞLA – World-renowned Time Out magazine has named the 540-kilometre historical Lycian Way the “World’s Most Beautiful Hiking Route.”
Starting in Fethiye, this world-famous trail winds through ancient ruins, pine forests, and breathtaking coastal paths, showcasing the timeless beauty of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast.
The magazine recommends exploring the route between September and November, when the weather is ideal and the scenery at its most vibrant — perfectly aligning with the principles of sustainable tourism.
We remain committed, together with our partners, to expanding Fethiye’s tourism across all four seasons while preserving the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Çıntar Mushrooms Hit the Market at 350–400 TL per Kilo
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The much-loved çıntar mushroom, a seasonal delicacy that grows naturally in the highlands of Fethiye, Seydikemer, and the forests of Çameli in Denizli, has appeared in local farmers’ markets — selling for 350–400 TL per kilogram.
Thanks to recent sudden rainfall in the mountainous areas surrounding Fethiye and Seydikemer, this year’s çıntar yield has noticeably increased, delighting both foragers and food enthusiasts.
At the Friday farmers’ market in Fethiye, vendors reported that demand remains strong despite the high price. The earthy, vitamin-rich mushroom is a staple of the local autumn season, particularly enjoyed grilled or fried with eggs.
Market vendor Recep Karagöz said the mushrooms are mostly collected from Çameli and nearby highland forests, adding:
“We sell them for 400 TL per kilo. These first çıntars, which emerge with the first rains, are very good in quality. Most customers buy by the half-kilo. With more rain expected, supplies will increase and prices should come down. Çıntar is not only delicious but also full of vitamins.”
As the season continues, locals anticipate more abundant harvests and more affordable prices, making the arrival of çıntar one of the highlights of autumn in Fethiye.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-cintar-350-400-tl
Barn Fire in Seydikemer: 700 Hay Bales Destroyed
Seydikemer, MUĞLA – A fire broke out in a barn located in the Gölbent neighbourhood of Seydikemer, resulting in the destruction of approximately 700 hay bales.
The blaze, which reportedly started for unknown reasons, quickly engulfed the structure, causing extensive damage before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Upon receiving the alert, teams from the Seydikemer Group Command of the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department were promptly dispatched. Thanks to their swift and intensive efforts, the flames were brought under control, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby buildings and farmland.
While no injuries were reported, the barn sustained significant property damage, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/seydikemerde-ahir-yangini-700-saman-balyasi-kul-oldu
Record Demolition Plan Begins in Muğla! Countdown Begins for 20,000 Illegal Buildings
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A large-scale demolition campaign has begun across Muğla as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal construction in the region.
Operations launched in the Marmaris and Menteşe districts have already gained momentum, targeting structures built in violation of zoning regulations. In Akbük Bay, Menteşe, demolition teams began tearing down 30 illegal buildings yesterday, while work continues on 157 more in Marmaris.
Before the demolitions, teams evacuated the buildings, and gendarmerie and municipal police units took security measures in the area. Prefabricated houses and other unlawful structures were dismantled one by one using heavy machinery.
Authorities emphasized their determination, stating, “Our stance against illegal construction is clear. All structures for which legal proceedings have been completed will be demolished one by one.”
According to official information, there are around 20,000 illegal buildings across Muğla awaiting demolition orders. Following the operations in Menteşe and Marmaris, similar actions are expected to begin soon in Fethiye, Bodrum, Datça, Ula, and Milas.
Particular attention is now turning to Fethiye, where unlicensed construction has surged in recent years. Residents and local observers are watching closely to see when this record-breaking demolition plan will begin — and how it will reshape the landscape of the region once dubbed an “illegal building paradise.”
Source: Beşkaza Haber Bülteni
Safari Vehicles Collide: Injury Toll Rises to 11
Manavgat, ANTALYA – The number of injured has risen to 11 following a traffic accident in Antalya’s Manavgat district, where two safari vehicles collided and one overturned. Among the injured are 10 foreign tourists — four Swedish, four British, and two Polish nationals — along with the driver of one of the vehicles.
The accident occurred in the Kır area of the Sarılar neighborhood when a safari vehicle traveling toward Naras collided head-on with another safari vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
The impact caused one vehicle to overturn, leaving the driver and his passengers trapped. Emergency services were quickly dispatched after a report was received by the 112 Emergency Call Center. Teams from the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Manavgat Unit, 112 medical crews, and gendarmerie traffic units from the Sarılar Gendarmerie Station responded to the scene.
After first aid was administered on site, the injured were transported by ambulance to hospitals in Manavgat for further treatment.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, which occurred during a popular tourist safari route.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/safari-araclari-carpisti-yarali-sayisi-11-e-yukseldi/110049/?p=4
Harshest Sentences Handed Down in Bolu Disaster Case: 11 Receive Aggravated Life Imprisonment
Bolu, TURKEY – In a landmark verdict, the court has handed down aggravated life sentences to 11 defendants in the case concerning the Grand Kartal Hotel disaster in Bolu, which tragically claimed the lives of 78 people.
A total of 32 defendants stood trial, 20 of whom were in custody, for their roles in the incident that has been described as one of the deadliest tragedies in the region’s history.
Those receiving aggravated life sentences include:
- Halit Ergül, hotel owner
- Emine Ergül, hotel owner
- Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu, daughter of the owners
- Zeki Yılmaz, hotel manager
- Ahmet Demir, Gazelle Hotel manager
- Emir Aras, hotel general manager
- Elif Aras, spouse of Emir Aras
- Sedat Gülener, Bolu Deputy Mayor
The court ruled that the defendants were guilty of causing the deaths of 34 children and 44 adults, sentencing them to 34 counts of aggravated life imprisonment and 44 counts of life imprisonment respectively.
The verdict, which took 13 minutes to read, was met with applause in the courtroom, as victims’ families expressed relief at the outcome after months of legal proceedings.
This historic ruling marks one of the toughest sentences ever handed down in a disaster-related case in Turkey, setting a precedent for accountability and justice in the country’s hospitality and construction sectors.
Source: Fethiye TV
Kahramanmaraş Named Turkey’s First UNESCO City of Literature
Kahramanmaraş, TURKEY – The Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş has been officially designated a UNESCO City of Literature, becoming the first city in Turkey to receive this prestigious recognition.
“Kahramanmaraş became the first city from Turkey to be selected in this field by joining this prestigious network in the ‘literature’ category,” Metropolitan Mayor Fırat Görgel announced on Friday.
The decision was revealed in Paris during World Cities Day events, according to UNESCO. Mayor Görgel noted that the city’s deep literary heritage, rich poetic tradition, and vibrant cultural scene played a crucial role in highlighting its literary identity both nationally and internationally.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced 58 new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) on World Cities Day 2025, bringing the total number of participating cities to 408 across more than 100 countries.
For the first time, UNESCO also introduced a new category — Creative Cities of Architecture — joining the existing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
“UNESCO Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be concrete drivers of development,” Azoulay said. “By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investments, and promotes social cohesion.”
This year, ten cities were named UNESCO Cities of Literature: Aberystwyth (Wales), Abuja (Nigeria), Celje (Slovenia), Conakry (Guinea), Dumaguete City (Philippines), Gdansk (Poland), Kahramanmaraş (Turkey), Lund (Sweden), San Luis Potosí (Mexico), and Tangier (Morocco).
The latest additions bring the total number of UNESCO Cities of Literature to 63 worldwide.
Source: Anadolu Agency
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.
Ziraat Turkish Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
Fethiyespor won their Ziraat Cup 3rd qualifying round match away against Dersimspor on Wednesday. The final score was 0-3.
Match Result
Fethiyespor lost their away match against Menemen FK on Sunday with a final score of 2-1. Following recent matches, Fethiyespor drops to 12th place in the league tables.
League Match
The team’s next match will be played at home against 68 Aksaray BLD on Sunday, November 9, with kick-off at 14:00.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 55.26 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.81 TL.
The US Dollar bought 42.00 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 41.94 TL.
The Euro bought 48.75 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 48.76 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
