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Antalya is considered to be one of prime holiday resorts of Turkey along the Mediterranean stretch. It is indeed an impressively maintained city that is constantly lined up with palm trees. It also boasts of a great marina right on the Mediterranean coast. Antalya has an airport and there are many regular flights to Antalya from many domestic and international destinations. In the fascinating old quarter of Antalya, you will come across a place called Chimaera and Olympos.

Olimpos Beydaglari Milli Parki is a National Park that falls to the west of the Gulf and spans about 700 sq. km. it spread across the coast into the beautiful mountains. Very close to the village of Cirali in Olympos, and to the south of this Park is a site known for one of the most exciting natural activities around Olympos. It is called the eternal flame of Chimaera. The locals will tell you that its a fire breathing monster and this can be dated back to a figure in Greek mythology. This phenomenon is also mentioned in A.D. 300 by a Bishop named Methodius as well as by Beaufort while he was traveling his part of the world in 1811.

To reach this spot you will have to cover a rather strenuous climb spanning about 150 meters. After this climb there is another climb about the same distance but steeper than the previous one. This area is further above the Olympos ruins. It is in reality nothing but Natural gas escaping from several holes and fissures in the rock and is known to have burned here for several thousand years. Although, the flames are not even discernible in broad daylight, the heat can still be felt. They are usually visible far from the sea and at night as well. The gases are yet to be tested scientifically however presence of methane has been ascertained so far.

Olympos was at one time the most widely known cities belonging to the Lycian League. Later it fell into the rule of pirates. The pirates continued to create havoc on this beautiful city even after the successful war waged against these pirates in 78 B.C by the Romans. In the imperial period it was widely known as a site devoted to the fire god named Hephaistos. You will find several ritual feasts in Plutarch aimed at honoring Mithras or The Persian god of light. The beach and the whole setting of the city is quite intriguing.