The Bafa Lake is at the south-east of the Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) Delta, 25 km far away from the Söke District, and east of the ancient city of Miletus, now known as Milas. Probably one of the largest unspoilt lakes in Turkey, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Beşparmak (Latmos) Mountains. Bafa Lake used to be a part of the Aegean Sea, and has become a lake as result of geomorphologic changes of the Great Menderes Delta.. The maximum depth of the Bafa Lake reaches 25 meters in some parts, with the main water source coming from water floods of the Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) River, and underground waters flowing from the mountains.
The plant cover around the lake mainly consists of Tamarisks, Pine trees, and Olive groves. Bafa Lake has it`s own ecosystem type characteristics which provides a winter haven for many bird species, some of which are very rare. The largest population of bird species in Bafa Lake which is a Natural Park include the Pelican, Dwarf Cormorant and the Sea Eagle. Over 300,00 different bird species can be found in this very special location, a list of some of the species can be found below.
There are over 700 kinds of plankton in the Lake, and a huge variety of water plants which has attracted a wealth of fish species to live in the lake. Bafa Lake also has cultural and historical value; Heraclia`s ancient city is within the borders of the Lake, at the south west foot of Beşparmak Mountains. Historical buildings here include the Athena Temple, an Agora, Council Building, Public Bath, Theatre, Nymphaion (fountain building), and Endymion Temple.
In order to protect this historical and natural area, the 12,281 hectares gained of Natural Park status in 1994.
Facilities:
- a visitor centre
- a camping area
- places for daily use and picnic
- walking and trekking footpaths
- bird watching stations will be available.
LATMOS – HERAKLEIA: Latmos or Herakleia, the original name of the town in history, was a town built on a harbour on the skirts of Mount Latmos which is 1375 m high. The economy of Herakleia depended on agriculture, fishing and sea commerce. The collapse of the city was brought upon by the River Meander which caused the connection of the bay and the sea to break off: The natural structure, the appearance and the skirt of the mountain which the city was settled on, show why there were so many legends born.
A Love Story
The moon goddess SELENE put her darling ENDYMON into sleep and came over one night and made love to him. Mount Latmos didn’t lose its mysterious and holy character even in the Byzantine period.
Lake Bafa, “Bafa Gölü” in Turkish, East of the ancient city of Miletus, is one of the largest coastal lakes in Turkey, set against the magnificent backdrop of Beşparmak (Latmos) Mountains. The bouldering opportunities around Bafa are spread on a very large area of approximately 1000 square kilometres. So far only a minimum part is opened, and also in the near future it doesn’t seem that the big potential will be fully exploited. All blocks are in a natural and cultural protected area: behave accordingly! If blocks are on private properties, ask in advance authorization to the owners, do not damage olive trees and fields, and close after you gates that you found closed. People of the place are usually very kind. In general even if language barriers stand in the way, friendliness and respect help
Boat tours. There are four small islands on Bafa lake, their names are Kapıkırı, İkizce, Menet and Kahvesar. Also there are ruins of a monastry on one of these islands: “Yediler Monastry”. Watch Selene’s light at night in Bafa and think the love of Selene and Endymion.
