MENTEŞE

As one of the oldest cities in the Caria region, Menteşe was referred to as “Mobolla” in ancient sources. Around 3400 BC, a tribe led by a leader named “Kar” settled in the region. In the 1000s BC, the area came under the control of the Dorians and joined the Pergamon Roman Alliance in 228 BC, eventually becoming a Roman province in 133 BC.

With the Turkish conquest of Anatolia, Menteşe came under the rule of the Anatolian Selçuk State. After the break-up of the Anatolian Selçuk State, the region came under the control of the Menteşâ Principality in 1261. In 1391, the area was included in the Ottoman lands by Yıldırım Bayezid, but came under Timur’s control in 1402, and was given back to the Menteşâ Principality by Timur. During the reign of Murad II, it once again became part of the Ottoman Empire and was named Menteşe Banner.

On October 30, 1913, Menteşe Banner was separated from Aydın Province and became a province, having the name of Muğla. On December 6, 2012, under Law No. 6360, Muğla Central was restructured and renamed Menteşe.

Main Historical and Archaeological Destinations

Mobolla Ancient City

To the south of Muğla city center, northeast of Saburhane Neighborhood, on the rocky hill known as Masa Dağı or Asar, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Mobolla. The earliest known name of this ancient settlement is “Mogla” (Μώγλα). An inscription dating back to the 2nd century BC definitively shows that the city’s name was “Mobolla” (Μόβολλα). In the 10th century AD, the settlement was referred to as “Mogola” (Μόγολα) at the pieces of Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus.

The ruins of ancient Mobolla are surrounded by city walls on the northern and western sides. At the starting point of the city walls, there are numerous scattered tomb chambers extending to Basmacı Stream. These tomb chambers stand out as part of the settlement surrounded by city walls.

Among the remains of the city, there are three open-air temples, rock tomb chambers, sarcophagi, rock-cut graves known as “popular type graves,” wells, rock dwellings, cisterns, and rock chambers believed to have been converted into living spaces.

Trolian Park

Near Özlüce village in the east of Muğla, in the Kaklıcatepe area, fossils unearthed during excavations are exhibited in the Natural History section of the Muğla Museum as Trolian Era finds. Excavations and research at Kaklıcatepe began in the late 1992, and the fossils findings have been classified into such various groups such as kitchen utensils, rhinoceros, elephant, pig, horse, and carnivorous animals.

These fossils date back to the Trolian Era, a period approximately 5 – 9 million years ago, covering a wide region from East Asia to Spain. The Trolian Era is named after this period because examples from this time are best preserved in the Teruel Basin.

Arasta Bazaar

The main road connecting the city to the outside world was the Izmir-Aydın-Çine, Tavas-Denizli route. This caravan route passed through Muğla and reached the city. Camel caravans would enter the city from Sekibaşı Street and follow this route to reach the city center. At the center, they would stay at such inns as Yağcılar Hanı and Kocahan, known as commercial centers of the urban site area. The caravans would then leave the Saburhane neighborhood and travel via the “Yılanlı Dağı Road” to Tavas and from there to Denizli.

Leading accommodation places on the historical caravan route included Yağcılar Inn, İbrahim Inn, Bacılar Inn, Balcıoğlu Inn, Konakaltı Inn and Kocahan, which was among the liveliest places of the city in the past.

There were guilds of various professions in the Arasta region, and these guilds took their names from common living spaces. For example, “Demirciler Arastası” (Blacksmiths’ Bazaar) and “Bakırcılar Arastası” (Coppersmiths’ Bazaar) are still referred to by these names today.

Karabağlar Plateau

The Karabağlar Plateau, where the Menteşe citizens spent their summer months for many years, holds an important place in the city’s historical process. Once a primary source of livelihood for the region, this plateau played a crucial role in agricultural production and has partially maintained this feature today.

The plateau has been of great significance as part of Menteşe’s closed economic structure over the centuries. Half of the year was spent at the plateau, where daily needs were met and food items such as dried vegetables, tomato paste, tarhana, sausage, roasted meat, pasta, and molasses were prepared for winter. Each household had its vineyard, and vinification was also practiced on the plateau. The Karabağlar Plateau holds an important place in Muğla’s historical and cultural heritage as an extension of traditional urban life.

Within and around the Karabağlar Plateau, there are many parks and cafes nestled in nature.

Main Bays and Beaches

Akbük

Akbük Bay, one of the most unique vacation spots in the Gulf of Gökova, is a peaceful retreat known for its serenity, calmness, and clear waters. Located on the northern side of the gulf, the bay features a small dock and a few restaurants. Akbük is 48 kilometers away from Menteşe city center and stands out among the region’s natural beauties.

You can visit the ruins of the ancient city of Caria and Keramos in Akbük Bay. The bay can be reached via a 25-kilometer coastal road from Akyaka or a 20-kilometer asphalt road from Ören.

If you wish to spend your vacation here, you have options for camping or staying at one of the guesthouses in Akyaka Gökova.

Recommended Activities

International Zurnazen Festival – Summer Season

International Muğla Yörük Türkmen Festival – Summer Season

Muğla Tarhana Festival – Autumn Season

Natural and Cultural Heritage

Traditional Muğla Chimney

Kuzulu Gate