When exploring Olympos, you will see ruins of a theatre from the Roman period. The walls and towers around the bay date from the Middle Ages. An impressive Ionic temple in excellent condition dates from the 2nd century AD, where a statue of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius once stood.
By the 2nd century B.C., Olympos was one of the two most important eastern cities on the Lycian coast—often referred to as the pirate coast. In 78 B.C., Servilius Vatia mounted a campaign and eliminated pirate activities around Olympos, adding the city to Roman territory. During the Roman era, Olympos became famous for the cult of Hephaestus in nearby Çıralı, where natural gases keep numerous flames perpetually burning. Olympos experienced its most prosperous era in the 2nd century B.C. After this golden age, pirate raids continued to plague the city, resulting in the loss of its wealth and significance.
Stones near the eternal flames, where subterranean methane escapes, are flanked by the ruins of a temple to Vulcan. The ancients referred to the mountain as Chimaera, named after a legendary fire-breathing monster in Lycia. According to ancient myth, the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus, slew the fire-breathing monster at night.
The evening settings at this anchorage create truly spectacular views. For sailors seeking historical exploration combined with natural wonders, this bay offers an unforgettable experience.