"The meeting point of the Aegean and the Mediterranean: Marmaris!

The section of the Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece is the Aegean Sea, a region remembered by two neighbors. The Aegean Sea connects to the Black Sea through the Çanakkale and Istanbul Straits. Turkey, with its coasts on both the Mediterranean and the Aegean, plays a significant role in defining where the Aegean Sea begins or ends in the Mediterranean. The answer to this question lies in Marmaris, a long, narrow peninsula that separates the Mediterranean and the Aegean.

With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, the Marmaris Peninsula has always been a crucial part of the Mediterranean Civilization due to its geographical location. The waterway between the Mediterranean Islands and the coasts of the European Mainland and the Eastern Mediterranean has greatly influenced the development of civilization. Merchant ships had to navigate the Aegean to travel east or west and return, and Marmaris served as a pivotal point in this maritime route. The Aegean coasts, full of countless ports, provided a safe waterway against strong winds and storms.

Mediterranean people relied on the sea and land for sustenance, as the Mediterranean did not produce as much fish as the Black Sea. Throughout history, this region compelled communities around the Mediterranean, despite its meager fish production, to engage in trade. The concept of "active holiday," emerging globally, involves getting to know the holiday destination closely by participating in different activities, encountering nature, and embracing culture. Marmaris, with its bay surrounded by a "national park" on all four sides, is not just a "sun-sea-sand" destination but a true "active holiday" center.

• Certainly, here is a concise timeline of key historical events in Marmaris:
• 3000 BC: The first city walls of the Carian city Physkos are constructed, and the ruins can be observed in Asartepe on the northeastern slopes of Marmaris Beldibi.
• 7th century BC: The ancient city of Loryma is founded.
• 546 BC: Persian domination begins in the region.
• 334 BC: Alexander the Great invades the region.
• 323 BC: Alexander dies, and the region comes under the rule of the Kingdom of Pergamon.
• 133 BC: Roman domination in the region.
• 395 AD: Beginning of the Byzantine period.
• 7th century AD: Arab raids result in the burning and destruction of many cities.
• 1290: Menteşe Principality period.
• 1451: Ottoman rule begins in the region.
• 1522: Ottoman Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent builds Marmaris Castle upon his return from the Rhodes expedition.
• 1867: Marmaris becomes a district of Muğla province.
• 1913: A German battleship takes shelter in the port of Marmaris during World War I.
• 1914: The French navy bombards Marmaris Castle based on the 1919 Treaty of Sevres.

Physkos (Beldibi, Asartepe): Traces of the first settlement in the region date back to 3400 BC. The ruins of this significant port city of the ancient Caria region can be observed in Asartepe, north of Marmaris city center. Notably, the city walls on the acropolis have survived to the present day.

Loryma (Bozukkale): Founded in Bozuk Bay at the southwestern tip of the Bozburun Peninsula, Loryma is known for its well-preserved castle located on Burunbaşı, featuring nine rectangular towers. Bozukkale port serves as an essential stop for blue cruise boats and yachts.

Kedrai (Sedir Island): Situated in the Gulf of Gökova, Sedir Island is renowned for the ancient city of Kedrai and the famous Cleopatra Beach. Kedrai, a Carian city connected to Rhodes, was enclosed by walls. The foundations of the Doric temple of Apollo and a well-preserved theater in the eastern part of the island have survived.

Amos (Turunç-Kumlubük): Located on a hill in the northwest of Kumlubük bay, near Turunç, Amos boasts a theater, temple, and statue bases. The city was surrounded by a wall, and the theater is remarkably well-preserved.

Hydas (Selimiye): Founded in Selimiye Bay (Kamışlı Bay) in the north of the Bozburun Peninsula, Hydas features ruins of city walls and a square-planned tomb monument. There is also a lookout tower and graves on the beach.

Erine (Hisarönü): Accessible via a 2 km asphalt road from the 20th km of the Marmaris-Datça road, Erine's ancient ruins, dating from the Roman period, can be reached through a 3 km forest road.

Castabus (Bargain): This ancient ruin and sacred place near Hisarlık Village requires an hour's climb from the Hisarönü plain. The temple, built in the Ionic order, contains Doric elements and features a well-preserved theater.

Thyssanos (Söğüt): Ruins of the Thyssanos settlement can be found on the hill just behind the school, 1 km southwest of Söğüt village. While not excavated, the site includes wall fragments, foundation traces, and wall ruins.

Phoinix (Taşlıca): The ruins of Phoinix, a Carian city, are scattered around Asar Hill, 4 km outside Taşlıca. Noteworthy features include the city's agora, a building in good condition, and the main necropolis.

Bybassos: Today's Orhaniye village, built on the slope of the hill where ruins are located, exhibits scattered wall ruins within the forest. Castle ruins can also be found on the small island in Orhaniye Bay.

Euthenna (Altınsivrisi/Karacasöğüt): The ruins of Euthenna, a town of Rhodes, are situated on Altınsivrisi hill, approximately 2 km southeast of Karacasöğüt village. The site includes a city necropolis, various city walls, rock tombs, and cisterns.

Amnistos (Karacasöğüt): Another ancient city near Karacasöğüt, the ruins of Amnistos are on a cape near the village, featuring remnants of city walls and the old harbor wall on the seaside