Gemile Island

Gemile Island (Lebissos) also known as St. Nicholas Island is located between Ölüdeniz and Fethiye. Gemile Island by the shores of the city of Fethiye today hosts the ruins of several Eastern Roman churches built between the fourth and seventh centuries AD, one of which was dedicated to St. Nicholas.  You can visit the beautiful remnants of the five churches on the island or join one of the daily boat tours and stop for a spot of lunch and a swim, or marvel at the countless boats moored in the bay for a quiet night on the turquoise waters.

St. Nicholas, or as he is best known in the West, Santa Claus, was a native Lycian, a member of an ancient civilization of southern Asia Minor. He was born in the famous Lycian city of Patara and served as the miracle-working Bishop of Myra in the 4th century. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, merchants, and sailors. One of his most famous miracles is saving three young girls from being forced into prostitution by secretly dropping gold, which their father used as their dowry, through the window of their house.