Dereköy (Dere) Neighborhood

To the east of Seydikemer, at an altitude of 920 meters above sea level, there is a place where life is closer to the sky: Dere Neighbourhood. Formerly known as Tezlidere, this settlement is remembered not only for its geographical location but also for a defining natural event and the unyielding resilience of its people. With a dispersed settlement pattern, the neighbourhood's houses, scattered across the slopes, present the landscape of a calm and peaceful mountain village.

The year 1967 marks a turning point in Dere's history. A major landslide that year forever changed the community's destiny. Faced with this destructive force of nature, a portion of the village population migrated to the Yenievler area in Fethiye, built a new life from scratch, and established what is known today as the Menteşe Neighbourhood. This event has given Dere a unique identity of having "two homes": one, the ancestral land on the mountain summit, and the other, the sister neighbourhood in the city, born out of necessity.

Today, life in Dere continues, despite the cool climate of its high altitude and the challenges of fragmented farmland. Forestry and animal husbandry are the primary sources of income. In the summer, traditions come alive as the people move to the "yaylas" (highland pastures) like Darıözü, Tezli, and Yeşilköy, honouring the heritage of their ancestors. Simultaneously, some participate in the modern economic cycle by migrating seasonally to coastal plains like Karadere and Kumluova for greenhouse work. Dere Neighbourhood tells the impressive story of a people separated by a natural event but whose bonds were never broken, a community that has put down roots in both the mountains and the city.

Key Information:

• Location: East of Seydikemer, on a mountain slope at an average altitude of 920 meters.
• Historical Event: Following a landslide in 1967, a part of the population migrated to Fethiye and founded the Menteşe Neighbourhood.
• Economy: Forestry, animal husbandry, and seasonal agricultural work.
• Culture: Strong "yayla" culture (the highland pastures of Darıözü, Tezli, Harlayık, Yeşilköy).
• Former Name: Tezlidere.