Situated inside the beautiful embrace of the Olympos Beydağları National Park, the ancient city of Olympos (Ancient Greek: Ὄλυμπoς, Ólympos; Latin: Olympus) survives as a witness to the grandeur of Antiquity. Its ruins, located on modern-day Turkey’s southern shore, tell stories of a legendary past in which mariners, traders, and warriors roamed. Olympos is located in a calm river valley near the seaside, south of the modern settlement of Çıralı, in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province. It is a vital part of the national park, together with the nearby remains of Phaselis and Idyros, and retains its historical and ecological value.

Yanartaş is one of the most interesting natural occurrences in the area, with everlasting flames flickering against the rough landscape a few kilometers to the northwest. These ethereal fires, powered by subterranean gases, have burned for millennia and are associated with ancient mythologies. They are closely associated with the tale of the Chimera, a fire-breathing beast defeated by the hero Bellerophontes while riding his winged steed, Pegasus. This blend of history and mythology adds to Olympos’ charm, luring tourists into its intriguing past.

Olympos was a key harbor city in the Lycian League, an ancient confederation of city-states. Although the exact date of its founding is unknown, the city appears on Lycian League coins issued in 167-168 BCE. As one of the six cities with three votes in the league, it had significant political power, representing eastern Lycia.

However, Olympos was more than just a symbol of commerce and authority. During the Hellenistic period, it became known as a pirate stronghold. Zenicetes, the Cilician pirate chief, established a stronghold here and used the city’s strategic harbor to launch raids across the Mediterranean. Piracy led to the rise of the Mithraic cult, a mystic worship of Mithras, the god of light and cosmic order. The pirate kingdom lasted until 67 BCE, when Roman intervention ended their operations, ushering in a new era of prosperity.

Rome asserted its grip over Lycia in 43 CE, ushering in a golden age for Olympus. The city flourished during Roman administration, as demonstrated by its architectural renaissance. Temples, bathhouses, and civic structures were either refurbished or built entirely new. Notably, Emperor Hadrian himself visited in 130 CE, demonstrating Olympos’ importance throughout the empire. The city’s vitality was enhanced by festivities celebrating Hephaestus (Vulcan), the god blacksmith, with ceremonies most likely held in connection with Yanartaş’s eternal flames.

Christianity gained root in Olympos during the early Byzantine period, cementing its status as a religious hub. The renowned Bishop Methodius, an early Christian theologian, was an important figure in its ecclesiastical history. Despite frequent pirate invasions, Olympos remained involved in broader ecclesiastical issues, serving as consul of Ephesus and Constantinople in the fifth century CE.

However, when the Byzantine era fell, so did Olympos’ fortunes. Its significance had faded by the Late Christian Period. It once served as a commercial station for Venetian and Genoese merchants, but this activity decreased with the Ottoman Empire’s naval dominance in the 16th century.

The remains of Olympos, which sit on both banks of a river that meanders into the Mediterranean, form a stunning historical landscape. In antiquity, this watercourse was harnessed for marine uses, with its flow directed through a canal to create a usable dock. A bridge formerly joined the two sections of the city; now, one of its abutments is astonishingly intact.

On the southern riverside, the remains of a Hellenistic-era polygonal masonry wall lie alongside Roman and Byzantine alterations. Nearby, on a steep acropolis, structures from later times cling to the rocky slopes, whispering fractured stories to visitors who examine their aged stones.

Among the most notable remains is a small but dramatic Roman theater perched on the river’s southern bank. Though mostly in ruins, its shape evokes memories of former concerts beneath the open sky. The remains of a temple gate west of the river mouth evoke a bygone era of grandeur. Excavations indicate that this location most likely held a temple dedicated to Emperor Marcus Aurelius (172-173 CE), a ruler known for his philosophical musings.

Perhaps the most remarkable artifact is the Captain Eudomus Sarcophagus, which was unearthed in a tunnel near the river’s mouth. This lavishly embellished tomb includes an inscription commemorating Eudomus, and the sculpted reliefs portray his ship, providing an intimate peek into Olympos’ maritime legacy.

The modern settlement of Çıralı, located east of the ruins, offers a beautiful beach for visitors. This lovely stretch of shoreline, with clean pebbles and clear waters, serves as a breeding site for the endangered Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle). The seaside dunes, which support a rich array of plant life, add to the region’s ecological significance.

Southwest of Olympos, the mysterious flames of Yanartaş continue to flare. This natural phenomena, long associated with the Chimera myth, continues to be a captivating display, especially at night. The location, formerly renowned as a cult center for Hephaestus, still exhibits vestiges of sacred paths and temple foundations, quiet reminders of bygone devotions.

Olympos, located along the famous Lycian Way, flawlessly blends historical significance with natural beauty. The ruins, encased in luscious forest, exude mystique, while the sun-drenched beaches and mythical flames enchant those who visit.

Olympos, which is easily accessible from Antalya (85 km), Kumluca (28 km), and Kaş (120 km), continues to be a valued jewel of Mediterranean tourism. Its beautiful blend of history, mythology, and scenic beauty ensures that people who walk its ancient paths experience a sense of amazement, an echo of the past echoing into the present.

The Enigmatic Origins of Olympus

The actual date of Olympus’ inception is unknown, its origins hidden by the passage of time. However, archaeological data offers some insight. A defensive wall and an inscription on a sarcophagus dated to the late fourth century BC indicate that the city was founded no later than the Hellenistic period. The name is presumably derived from the formidable Mount Olympus (modern-day Tahtalı Dağı, meaning Timber Mountain), one of numerous peaks around the ancient world that held the name Olympus, all tied to myth and reverence.

A Prominent Member of the Lycian League

Olympus played an important part in the Lycian League, albeit the exact date of its membership is unknown. By the late second century BC, probably as early as the 130s, the city had begun minting its own Lycian League coins, a privilege reserved for significant confederation members. At its peak, Olympus was one of the League’s six largest cities, each with three votes, highlighting its political and economic power within the Lycian federation.

A Stronghold of Cilician Pirates

Around 100 BC, Olympus’ trajectory changed dramatically when Cilician pirates, commanded by the legendary ruler Zekenites, took possession of the city and its large Mediterranean holdings. These dominions encompassed Corycus, Phaselis, and other strategic Pamphylian locations. Under Zekenites, Olympus became a famed pirate stronghold, interrupting trade and undermining regional authorities. However, this period of lawlessness came to an end in 78 BC, when Roman forces led by Publius Servilius Isauricus and joined by the youthful Julius Caesar mounted a fierce campaign against the pirate stronghold. Following a naval victory, Roman forces seized Olympus, thereby subjugating the city. Faced with certain loss, Zekenites chose a fiery demise, igniting his home and dying in the flames—a dramatic conclusion to his empire.

The Roman Conquest and the City’s Flourishing

With its absorption into the Roman Republic, Olympus began a new era of prosperity. Cicero, a great statesman and orator, described the city as affluent and decorated with ornate architecture, demonstrating its wealth and cultural prominence. Roman rule brought stability, allowing the city to prosper. Its prominence was enhanced when Emperor Hadrian paid a visit, prompting the city to be temporarily renamed Hadrianopolis in his honor.

A City Lost to Time and Theory

Interestingly, Olympus is missing from two important Roman-era itineraries: the Stadiasmus Patarensis and the Stadiasmus Maris Magni. Corycus, described in ancient sources as a prominent marine hub, is, nonetheless, documented. This absence has prompted historian Mustafa Adak to present an intriguing hypothesis: Olympus may not have been a coastal settlement in the first place. He suggests that the city’s original location was on Mount Olympus, likely Musa Dağı instead of Tahtalı Dağı. According to this account, Roman armies devastated Olympus, causing a population transfer to Corycus, which later took the name Olympus after Emperor Hadrian’s visit in 131 AD.

Medieval Decline and Modern Rediscovery

During the Middle Ages, Olympus’ strategic importance was not overlooked. The Venetians, Genoese, and Knights of Rhodes built fortifications around the coast, demonstrating the city’s long-standing usefulness as a defensive outpost. However, by the 15th century, Olympus had been abandoned, leaving its structures to the growing wilderness.