At
the foot of Mt.Tahtali (Olympos),15 km south
of Kemer, the three harbors of Phaselis were
once a major commercial center. The ruins of
aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theater, Hadrian's
Gate and an acropolis reveal the city's
historical importance. From the south harbor,
look up at Mt. Tahtali for a spectacular view.
The sheltered sandy beaches make a superb
playground, and the waters are calm and safe
for swimmers.
The ancient city of Olympos is situated on the
southern side of Mt. Tahtali. Oleander and
laurel bushes shade the Olympos Valley, which
you can approach by land and sea. The play of
light on the quiet pools of water enhance the
mosaics in the bath. A temple gate and theater
also remain from antiquity. The outer walls
and towers around the bay date from the Middle
Ages. North of Olympos up from Cirali Beach,
is Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters) where
according to mythology the Lycian hero
Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse
Pegasus, slew the fire-breathing monster,
Chimaera. Gas which seeps from the earth burns
brightly at night at this site, which the
Byzantines also considered a religious area.