Datça

Datca, with just 10000 inhabitants is on a peninsula surrounded by nature. Its location is unique: North of the peninsula is the Aegean Sea and at the South the Mediterranean Sea. From the peninsula you have a panoramic view on the Greek islands Kos, Simi and Rhodos.

Datca is not yet discovered by mainstream tourism because there is no airport nearby. Here you can still taste the real Turkey in Datca. It is mostly famous for its high oxygen levels in the air and the low humidity. Even in the hottest summer months, a gentle breeze will allow for a pleasant stay. The sea and the coast line are stunningly beautiful. There so many little beaches and plenty quiet little bays where you can enjoy the peace and beauty.

Around 1000 BC Dorians invaded the southern part of Caria and established the Dorian Hexapolis with the cities of Cnidus (near Datça), Halicarnassos (modern Bodrum), Cos (Greek island), Kamiros, Lindos and Ialissos (the last three were in Rhodes). Cnidus was also the center of this City Union. It had quite an effective political and economic structure considering the period.

During the Persian invasion in Anatolia, Cnidus fell under Persian attack (546 BC). In difence, the Cnidians tried to separate themselves physically from the mainland by digging a channel through neck of the peninsula (today Balikasiran). Unfortunately the rocks were very sharp and hard. Many Cnidians were injured as a result and an envoy was sent to question the oracle at Delphi. According to the oracle, Zeus did not approve of their work and the Cnidians abandoned their project. The Persians entered the Peninsula without any resistance and were greeted peacefully by the Cnidians.

Later, Cnidus was dominated by in turn of Athenian Empire, Spartans, Alexander the Great, Roman Empire and Byzantines.

In 1220 AD the Menteshe Tribe (a Turkish tribe) conquered Datça. In 1390 sultan Yildirim Beyazit attacked the Menteshe Principality and the Peninsula passed to the Ottoman rule. During the reign of sultan Resad in the 18th century, the name of the Peninsula was changed to "Resadiye".

After the Turkish Republic in 1923, the Peninsula regained its old name of "Datça". Today, Datça is a district of the province Mugla and is located at 70 km (43 mi) west of Marmaris.