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PHASELIS
One km. after turning south 57 km. along the
Antalya-Kemer highway, one reaches Phaselis. The city was settled by the
Rhodians in the 7th century B.C. and for many years was the most important
port city of the eastern Lycian seaboard. Phaselis has three harbours: the
North harbour, the Military or Protected harbour and the South harbour, of
which the most important is the last one. A 20-24 m. wide avenue runs
throughout the city. At the southern end of this avenue, Hadrian's Gate is
situated. On either side of the avenue are sidewalks and shops. Close to
these, can be seen the public buildings like the baths, the theatre and the
agora. The history of these buildings is said to go back to 1st and 2nd
century B.C. There are water channels between the city center and settlement
area, established on the tableland with a altitude of 70 meters.
OLYMPOS
AND ÇIRALI
They are in the west part of Antalya between
Kemer and Adrasan. After passing Phaselis on the Antalya-Kumluca highway,
signposts leading to Olympos and Cirali will be seen and Olympos can be
reached by following either route. Cirali is the name of the village near
Olympos, which was a port city established in the 2nd century and which
continued to flourish until the 15th century A.D. The famous myth of
Bellerophontes is said to have taken place here. The antique city is on two
sides of a beautiful valley. A sandy beach is found where the town and the
valley meet the sea, into which a mountain stream flows. An hour's walk from
Olympos brings you to the natural phenomenon of Cirali. Known by the local
inhabitants as the " burning mountain " (Yanartas), it is a result of
escaping natural gas, whose flames have been shooting heavenwards for
centuries. It is suggested that those who wish to visit the Yanartas for the
first time should be accompanied by someone from the village.
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