Unearthing the roots of Datça’s history
The first evidence of human habitation in Datça dates to 2000 BC, with the Carians. Later, the Dorians, who migrated from Greece, established Knidos on the tip of the Datça Peninsula as the center of their dominion in this region. The Dorian reign coincided with Datça’s golden age…
The city’s Golden Age
During the Dorian period, significant changes took place in the city. An important commercial town, Datça was home to two major ports: the North Port and the South Port. The North Port was used by the Dorians for military purposes and the South Port for trade. As well, numerous temples, churches and monuments were erected during this period, and a prominent medical school was established by Euryphon, a doctor. Knidos rapidly developed, not just as a trade center but also as a center for culture, art and education.
Around 540 BC, Knidos fell to the Persians and the city became a part of the Kingdom of Pergamum.
The story of Knidos’ transformation into Datça
Another significant turning point occurred in Datça’s history hundreds of years later, in the 15th century, when the city – after a brief time under Byzantine administration – was ceded to the Ottoman Empire and its name changed to Datça. This beautiful geography is now part of the Republic of Türkiye.
Traces of Can Yücel in Old Datça
The district’s influence on the legendary poet Can Yücel cannot be overlooked, with Yücel and Datça almost synonymous in terms of Turkish literature. Can Yücel lived in Old Datça, in a house shaded by fragrant citrus trees, and he was buried in Old Datça as well. Orhan’s Place (Orhan’ın Yeri), a café in Datça where Yücel spent the most of his time, has a section dedicated to the poet – The café’s ‘Can Baba’ corner features a photo of Can Yücel, along with some of his poems and other writings.
Rumor has it that…
According to legend, Datça’s interior once teemed with quarries filled with precious stones. Thus families left inland estates to their sons and the seaside properties to their daughters.
Another legend claims that Spanish sailors charged with transporting leprosy sufferers to distant lands abandoned these patients at Datça. Although the sailors believed that the lepers would perish in these deserted places, Datça healed them with its pure air, healthy soil and clear waterways. This tale gave rise to the saying, “If God wants his beloved servant to live long, God sends him to the Datça Peninsula!”.
We bid farewell to beautiful Datça with the understanding that the spirit and priorities of each period differ. To make your own history in Datça, click here for a Muğla flight ticket.
We invite you to explore Datça…
