In southwest Turkey, nestled within the Olympos Beydagları National Park, lies an extraordinary natural phenomenon known as Yanartaş. Once referred to as Mount Chimaera, the burning mountain, this area is famous for its spontaneous and continuous natural fires that burn through cracks in the earth.
Fueled by methane gas naturally seeping from the earth’s crust, these flames have been a marvel for millennia. This has inspired myths and legends among the ancients who pondered their eternal blaze.
The Ancient City of Olympos
The ruins of ancient Olympos (Ancient Greek: ‘Ολυμπος) evoke the legacy of a vibrant and strategically significant maritime hub that flourished in antiquity. The exact date of the city’s founding remains uncertain.
However, a wall and an ancient Greek inscription on a sarcophagus, indicate that Olympus must have been established by the Hellenistic period at the latest. The city likely derived its name from Mount Olympus.
Visitors can stroll through a hauntingly beautiful array of remnants from the past, including a well-preserved Greco-Roman theater, an early Christian basilica, and intricately carved tombs embedded in the rocky landscape.
These structures offer a glimpse into a once-thriving society that valued art, architecture, and the worship of gods, providing context to the mythological significance of the region.
Hiking to Yanartaş
To reach the mysterious fires of Yanartaş, visitors embark on a scenic hike starting from the quaint village of Çıralı. The 30-minute trek up the mountain is manageable and offers engaging vistas of the surrounding forest and mountain scenery.
Travelers are encouraged to plan their visit during the cooler and less crowded seasons of early spring or late autumn. Evening treks are particularly popular as the flames become more visible and striking against the dusk sky, casting a warm glow that enhances the mystical atmosphere of the site.
Cultural heritage site
Yanartaş is not just a natural wonder but also a protected cultural heritage site. The conservation efforts ensure that the area remains undisturbed, with strict rules prohibiting cooking or lighting fires near the vents.
Close to the fiery cracks stands the ruins of a temple dedicated to ancient Greek god Hephaestus, the god of fire, further enriching the site’s historical tapestry and providing a tangible connection to the mythological tales inspired by these natural phenomena.
For those seeking a more exhilarating perspective, the Olympos Teleferik offers an unforgettable cable car ride to the summit of Tahtalı Dağı. Rising to a height of 2,365 meters, the cable car journey provides spectacular panoramic views of the park and the expansive Mediterranean coastline.
