Olympos Beydağları National Park

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Olympos Beydağları National Park, situated in the Kemer district of Antalya province, is celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery and rich historical significance. Established as a protected area in 1972, the park covers a large portion of Mediterranean coast and protects its rich historical legacy as well as its natural beauty. Top visited by both nature lovers and history buffs alike, the park’s geographical location stretches from Sarisu to the Antalya-Kumluca highway and parallel to Gelidonya Cape covers some of the most spectacular beaches and ancient cities on the western coast of the Mediterranean Gulf.

Among the most amazing natural beaches in the area, the park boasts çıralı and Adrasan, known for their length and picturesque appeal. With their immaculate sands and glistening blue seas, these beaches provide guests with the perfect setting for leisure and entertainment. The scene of the park is a remarkable mix of forest and sea, where large beaches meet rich woodlands to create a magical environment for leisure and discovery. Other well-known beaches in the park are Topçam, Küçük Çaltıcak, Büyük Çaltıcak, and Kargıcak, which provide everyday recreation sites and let guests to savor the special mix of coastal and woodland settings. Their natural beauties are well-known.

The park offers camping grounds to people looking for a more immersive outdoor experience. Within the park, the Göynük Tent Camp provides lodging for up to 100 tents, so giving a great base for those wishing to discover the natural beauties of the area. Furthermore, the Kındılçeşme Tent Camp area, which is approximately 3 kilometers from Kemer, can accommodate 225 tents, so providing lots of chances for people who want to commune with the surroundings.

At the junction of history, geology, ecology, and fauna, Phaselis Ancient City is one of the most famous places in the park. A monument to the long and varied history of the area, the ancient remains of Phaselis date back to the 7th century BC. Strategically located along the Mediterranean coast, the city was a major port and a hive of trade and culture throughout ancient times. Along with enjoying the surrounding natural beauty, visitors can investigate the remnants of the city including its theaters, aqueducts, and other old buildings.

Each reflecting a different facet of the historical and environmental relevance of the area, the most emblematic and recognizable sites in the park are �çıralı Beach, the Olympos Ancient City, and Yanartaş. One of the most well-known ancient cities in the park, Olympos is eighty kilometers south of Antalya. Nestled amid the old Lycians, Olympos is distinguished among the ancient cities that have endured to the present by the Akçay (Olympos Stream), which passes through its center. Opening to the Mediterranean from the east, the city was a major port historically.

Though its exact origin date is unknown, Olympos is initially attested on coins made inside the Lycian Union between 168 and 78 BC. Enjoying three vote rights, Olympos was one of the six privileged cities in this union; occasionally, she even had influence in choosing the union president. The strategic relevance of the city was further shown when it was taken by pirates in 80 BC and then freed by the Roman Navy under Publius Servilius Vatia in 78 BC. After the pirates were defeated, the city was finally included into the Roman Empire; during the Lycian League’s lifetime, it rose to be among the esteemed members.

Nestled north of the city and split by the Akçay Stream, the Northern Necropolis is one of the important archeological sites in Olympos. There are about 113 graves in the necropolis, and the graves there are scattered without any specific alignment. Here are the massive tomb of the Olympian Lyciarch Marcus Aurelius Archepolis and the sarcophagus of Antimachus, which provide vital new perspectives on the burial customs in the area. Byzantine-period churches found in the necropolis imply that Roman tombs were used during the Byzantine era, therefore augmenting the rich legacy of the city.

One of the most important archeological sites in the Olympos Beydağları National Park, the ancient city of Olympos still draws visitors as well as historians and archaeologists. Its remains let guests enter the historical and cultural scene of ancient Lycias, therefore acting as a portal into the past. The park’s whole attractiveness gains great historical depth from the city’s links to Roman, Byzantine, and older Anatolian cultures.

Finally, Olympos Beydağları National Park is a beautiful location that blends rich tapestry of historical and cultural legacy with natural beauty. From its immaculate beaches and rich woods to the historic sites of Olympos and Phaselis, the park presents a multitude of opportunities for anyone looking to commune with both environment and past. Olympos Beydağları National Park is among Turkey’s most fascinating national parks whether one is camping in the middle of nature, lounging on perfect beaches, or discovering the ruins of former towns. Visitors will discover a special mix of natural beauties and historical riches here.

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Location

Location:
Kemer
Address:
Arslanbucak, 07980 Kemer/Antalya, Türkiye
Category:
National Parks
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Monday: Open 24 Hours
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