History of Finike

Finike in the Ancient Period

It is suggested that early Finike was founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC under the name Phanikos, at the point where the Aykırıçay Stream flows into the sea. Serving as a port where Limyra, the capital of Lycia for many years, exported its agricultural products, Finike became an important trade center due to this characteristic. There are also accounts suggesting that the name Finike derives from the Phoenicians.

It is accepted that the initial settlement location of Phoinikos, an important port city in antiquity, is today's İskele Neighborhood. It is known that the Acıçay stream, which flows through the neighborhood with a canal structure, high flow volume, and low flow velocity, functioned as a port where loading and unloading operations were carried out. For this reason, it is believed that the region was named İskele Neighborhood.

Ancient Ruins in Finike

Among the surviving ruins in Finike, the most prominent are the city wall remnants dating back to the Hellenistic period, with their lower sections belonging to the Roman Era and upper sections to the Byzantine period. The tower located opposite Atatürk Park is one of the significant structures reflecting the traces of these two distinct periods together.

Several rock tombs located on the northern edge of the cliff opposite the State Hospital, along with a rock tomb near the old prison, are among the main historical remains visible in the center of Finike.

It is known that Finike had a relatively small settlement during the Late Byzantine period. Some artifacts exhibited in Cumhuriyet Park and the large structure used as a warehouse opposite the Ziraat Bank are evaluated among the remains belonging to the Late Byzantine Period.

Lycia and the Teke Peninsula

The district of Finike is located in the region called the Teke Peninsula today and Lycia in ancient times. Lycia is bordered by Pamphylia to the east, Caria to the west, and Pisidia to the north.

It is known that the Teke Peninsula has been inhabited since the 3rd millennium BC. However, archaeological research conducted in the region has not yet revealed a settlement dating earlier than the 2nd millennium BC. Linguistic studies reveal that certain toponyms used in the region bear similarities to place names found in various parts of Anatolia dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. These data indicate the presence of settlements in Lycia during the 3rd millennium BC.

However, the archaeological and linguistic findings obtained are not sufficient to definitively answer the question of who established these earliest settlements.

Lycian Civilization and Historical Development

Excavations carried out at Semahöyük, located 11 km from Elmalı, have revealed an Early Bronze Age settlement in the region. Although there are numerous historical remains within the borders of the Finike district and its immediate surroundings, they do not date as far back as the findings at Semahöyük. The oldest finds obtained from archaeological research in and around Finike belong to the Lycian civilization.

The fact that the Lycians formed alliances with neighboring states, participated in overseas wars, and possessed a powerful naval fleet demonstrates the existence of an advanced state structure in the region. The presence of settlement in only one city in eastern Lycia during the colonization period also indicates that the Lycians maintained their strong position for a long time.

The Lycians maintained their independence until the Persian invasion of the region in the mid-6th century BC. The fact that even a powerful state like Lydia could not bring the Lycians completely under its dominance demonstrates Lycia's strong position during this period.

The weakening of central control after the death of Alexander the Great led Syria, Egypt, and Rhodes to establish dominance over Lycia from time to time. This period came to an end with the establishment of the Lycian League by Pericles, the Lord of Limyra, towards the beginning of the 2nd century BC, restoring stability in the region.

When the coasts once again became an area of activity for pirates, Pompey came to the region with broad powers in 67 BC and put an end to piracy. In 43 AD, Emperor Claudius united Lycia and Pamphylia, naming the new province Lycia-Pamphylia.

Byzantine Period

With the advent of Early Christianity, Myra (Demre) became one of the major centers of Christianity spreading across the region. Lycia, which underwent significant political and cultural changes during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, gradually lost its original identity under Byzantine rule.

During the Byzantine period, the region experienced short-term Arab raids and occupations, and following Byzantine rule, it came under the sovereignty of the Anatolian Seljuk State.

Seljuk and Ottoman Periods

As Byzantium began to weaken, Arab raids started to be seen in the region. The Battle of Manzikert in 1071 paved the way for Turkish dominance in Anatolia, and within a short time, Finike and its surroundings came under Seljuk control.

Anatolian Seljuk rule lasted between 1207 and 1308, during which time the Teke Tribe, arriving from Central Asia, was settled in the region. Following the collapse of the Anatolian Seljuk State, Finike and its surroundings remained under the rule of the Principality of Tekeoğulları between 1308 and 1361.

Following the elimination of the Principality of Tekeoğulları by the Ottomans, Ottoman administration began in the region in 1426. Functioning as a sub-district (nahiye) center attached to the district of Elmalı during the Ottoman period, Finike attained the status of a district (kaza) in 1914.

Finike Today

Today, Finike is one of Antalya's prominent districts with its 26 neighborhoods and a population of 52.436. Having become a district in 1914, Finike attained municipal status in 1923, the year the Republic was proclaimed.

Due to its long-standing administrative standing and the influence of civil servants arriving from various parts of the country, Finike has acquired social and cultural characteristics distinct from its surroundings. This situation has also been expressed remarkably by some foreign visitors to the district.

Finike State Hospital has undertaken the responsibility of serving as a regional hospital with its fully equipped structure, providing healthcare services not only to Finike but also to the districts of Kumluca, Demre, Kaş, and Elmalı.

The Hammam-Sauna facilities, built by the Municipality of Finike in 1993, serve both local and foreign visitors. Reinterpreting Seljuk and Ottoman architectural motifs in a modern style, the structure stands out as an important facility keeping traditional bath culture alive.

Atatürk and Finike

Although at first glance it might seem that there is no direct or close relationship between Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Finike, a more detailed research reveals that there were individuals from Finike who served in Atatürk's immediate circle. Foremost among them is Hasan Çavuş.

Hasan Çavuş passed away on October 29, 1998, the 75th anniversary of the Republic. He is remembered as one of the key figures keeping Finike's traces in the history of the National Struggle and the Republic alive.