Gemiler Island

The island, which is in the south of Fethiye, is approximately 9 km from Fethiye. The length of the island is 1 km and its width is 400 meters. The southern slope of Gemiler Island is steep and the northern slope shows a slight slope.

Gemile or Aya Nikola Island, located in the Ölüdeniz Basin known as Smybola, in the Middle Ages. Since the 5th century, it has come to an important position, especially with the formation of religious settlements.

There are some rumors about the name of the island. For example; It is known that the church on the highest point of the island was dedicated to St. Nicholas in a maritime guide belonging to the Medieval Period. However, this St. Nicholas is thought to have been born in Derme and known as Santa Claus. The accuracy or refutation of some of the information available about Nicholas is still unclear. An important Nikolas lived on this island, but there is no detailed information about his identity yet.

With a wall extending in the east-west direction on the northern slope of the island, the religious buildings concentrated on the top of the hill and the civil and commercial buildings below can be distinguished. This indicates that the upper part of the island is a sanctuary.

It is thought that there is a chimney thought to be used to signal with smoke on the island of Karacaören, which is approximately 150 meters west of the island, with the aim of warning both the people of Gemile Island and the people of Kayaköy in the event of a possible attack.

In the bay where Gemile Island is the center, Gemile Bay, Ölüdeniz, Fethiye Peninsula, Knight Island and 12 islands are located, the remains of many churches and chapels spread over various notes have been found, which gives the impression that there was an intense religious activity in the region during the period.