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Phaselis & Olympos
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.
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