The chapel discovered during the Fethiye Castle excavation will be rebuilt

Excavations continue in the castle located in the Kesikkapı Neighborhood, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, in cooperation with the Muğla Governorship, District Governorship, Fethiye Municipality and Fethiye Museum.

Work continues to rebuild the chapel that was discovered during the excavations carried out in the lower part of the castle under the scientific responsibility of Prof. Dr. Kadir Pektaş.

It is aimed to open the castle, which has a view of the Fethiye Gulf and the district, to tourism in the coming years.

Fethiye Castle Excavation Scientific Manager Prof. Dr. Kadir Pektaş told AA correspondent that work was carried out on the upper and lower sections of the castle this year as part of the excavation supported by the Heritage to the Future Project.

Pektaş, who stated that they encountered chapel ruins during the work in the lower part of the castle, said, "We have not yet clarified the date of the chapel. We will be able to obtain more accurate results by expanding the work in the coming days. Our excavation work at the bottom of the walls will be expanded a little more. Afterwards, we want to work on the landscaping project."

Pektaş stated that they came across ruins and sites from the Menteşeoğulları and Ottoman periods on the upper walls of Fethiye Castle.

Pektaş, who stated that two recent skeletons were found in the region, said that an examination would be carried out on the findings and that according to initial findings, there was no regular cemetery in the region.

"A BEAUTIFUL SPOT WAS CHOSEN FOR THE CHAPEL IN TERMS OF VIEW"

Pektaş stated that they encountered graves from the Byzantine period in and around the chapel and continued as follows:

"We will expand our excavations in the region to understand the content of the chapel and obtain more accurate results. Our current findings indicate that the structure dates back to the middle Byzantine period. When the excavations are completed, we will be equipped with more definitive information."

Prof. Dr. Pektaş stated that the chapel is located in a position overlooking the Fethiye Gulf and said, "It was placed next to the lower walls of the castle. A beautiful spot was chosen for the chapel in terms of view. It is a small-scale structure, but we expect to see a slightly larger structure in the coming days."

Pektaş, who stated that they will conserve and protect the chapel after completing its excavation, said, "We will make the chapel accessible for visits. We will add this place to the visitable route, especially within the scope of the landscaping project that will be prepared."

Kadir Pektaş emphasized that after the restoration of the designated areas and the landscaping, Fethiye will become a special spot in the inner part of the city that will appeal to tourists with its landscape and historical texture.