Patara was the most important Lycian port, and one of its oldest cities. According to a legend, Pataros, the son of nympha of Apollon – founded Patara. Heredotus mentioned Patara in the 5th century B.C. The city was famous for the Oracle of Apollo, which “spoke” only in winter—it was believed that the summer oracle was in Delos. In 333 B.C., the city gave no resistance to Alexander the Great, in order to save itself from destruction. During the Roman Civil Wars of the 1st century B.C., the Lycians sided with Caesar against Pompeius. Brutus, who had assassinated Caesar in Rome, attacked Patara and demolished the city. Then in the 2nd century, Patara became the judicial seat of the Roman governors, who again turned it into a port. From here the Roman fleet maintained its contacts with its eastern provinces.
Patara was the birthplace of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra (Demre), who was the basis for Santa Claus.
Key buildings to see in Patara are the triumphal arch, or Monumental Gate, which was at the entrance to the city, the theatre, the necropolis with Lycian and Roman tombs, and Hadrian’s granaries.