Forty kilometers from Kemer, where dense pine forests descend to the very shore of the Mediterranean Sea, lies one of the most atmospheric and mysterious ancient cities of Turkey — Olympos. Named after the majestic mountain rising nearby, which today is called Tahtalı, this city holds the memory of Lycian sailors, Roman emperors, Byzantine bishops, and even pirates who made it their stronghold.
Unlike many other ancient cities, Olympos has not turned into a sterile archaeological park with cleared squares and restored colonnades. The ruins here literally grow into nature: ancient walls are entwined with ivy, sarcophagi hide in thickets of laurel and oleander, and the mountain river Ulupınar flows through the entire city, dividing it into two parts and creating a unique, almost tropical microclimate.
Wandering through this green labyrinth, crossing the river over ancient stones, and suddenly coming upon the mosaic floor of a Byzantine basilica or a Lycian tomb is a real adventure, for which travelers from all over the world come here.
Foundation of Olympos and Flourishing in the Lycian League
The exact date of Olympos`s founding is unknown, but archaeological finds confidently indicate that the city already existed in the Hellenistic period, presumably in the 3rd–2nd centuries BC. It received its name from the nearby Mount Olympos — as Tahtalı was called in antiquity, a name borne by many sacred peaks of the ancient world.
Olympos quickly became one of the most important cities of the Lycian League — a democratic federation of ancient city-states. Moreover, it was among the six largest cities that held the right to three votes in the federal assembly. The city minted its own coins, conducted active maritime trade, and prospered due to its convenient location at the crossroads of Mediterranean routes.
Pirate Lair in Olympos and Roman Conquest
In the 1st century BC, the fate of Olympos changed dramatically. The city became a refuge for Cilician pirates led by Zenicetes, who turned it into his main fortress and controlled the entire coast from here. Piracy reached such proportions that it began to threaten the commercial interests of Rome.
In 78 BC, the Roman commander Publius Servilius Vatia began a campaign against the pirates. He besieged Olympos, and when defeat became inevitable, Zenicetes chose to burn himself along with his family and home rather than surrender to the enemy. The city was captured, plundered, and for some time excluded from the Lycian League. The Romans confiscated its lands and declared them public property.
Roman Revival of Olympos and the Imperial Visit
A new flourishing of Olympos began in the 1st century AD, when the city was restored and readmitted to the Lycian League. By the 2nd century, it reached the peak of its prosperity. A special mark in history was left by the visit of Emperor Hadrian, who came to the city around 130 AD. In honor of the emperor, Olympos even bore the name Hadrianopolis for some time. It was during this period that many of the surviving structures were erected: the city was rebuilt according to a regular plan, paved streets were laid out, and baths, temples, and a theater were constructed.
Christian Era and Decline of Olympos
With the spread of Christianity, Olympos became an important religious center. Here was born and served one of the first Lycian bishops — Methodius of Olympus, who lived at the turn of the 4th century and is venerated as a hieromartyr. The city was the center of a diocese under the omophorion of the Metropolis of Myra. In the 5th–6th centuries, during the Early Byzantine period, active construction unfolded here: nine basilicas were built, richly decorated with mosaic floors.
However, Olympos`s prosperity was short-lived. From the 7th century, devastating Arab raids began, and like most Lycian port cities, Olympos gradually declined. In the 12th–13th centuries, life still flickered here — Venetian and Genoese merchants used it as a trading post — but with the strengthening of the Ottoman fleet in the 16th century, the city was finally abandoned. Nature quickly reclaimed its territory, and the ruins disappeared under a blanket of greenery, preserved to this day in an astonishing, untouched beauty.
What Can Be Seen in Olympos Today
Theater
The main structure of Roman Olympos is a small but well-preserved theater, carved into the hillside. It was built in the first half of the 2nd century in honor of Emperor Hadrian, as indicated by an inscription found during excavations. The theater suffered greatly from earthquakes and from human activity in the Byzantine period, when stone blocks were taken for lime and construction, yet its outlines can still be clearly discerned.
Gate of the Temple of Marcus Aurelius
About 150 meters west of the river mouth rise monumental gates that led to a small temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The temple was erected around 172–173 AD, and its gates, with rich architectural decoration, are one of the most photographed landmarks of Olympos.
Sarcophagus of Captain Eudomus
One of the most unique finds is the sarcophagus of Captain Eudomus, discovered in a rock niche not far from the river mouth. On its long side is carved an image of a ship, depicted without sails, masts, or oars — probably the ancient craftsmen`s symbolic representation of a sailor`s final rest. Thanks to the preserved dedicatory inscription, we know the captain`s name — Eudomus.
Necropolis Church
In the northern part of the city, among the ancient tombs, lie the ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine basilica, known as the Necropolis Church. Its northern nave and annexes have been preserved; the southern part was destroyed by a flood in 1969. It was a three-aisled columnar basilica with galleries and an atrium — a typical example of early Byzantine church architecture.
Roman Baths
On the southern bank of the river, impressive ruins of Roman baths have been preserved. Here you can see vaulted ceilings and fragments of mosaic floors that still shimmer in the play of light.
City Walls and Bridge
A stone bridge was built across the river that divided the city. One of its piers has been excellently preserved to this day. On the southern bank, you can see fragments of Hellenistic defensive walls, built in the polygonal masonry technique — they are older than most other structures and still remember Zenicetes` pirates.
Streets and Aqueduct
Along the riverbed stretch the remains of ancient streets with stone slabs, and off to the side are visible fragments of the aqueduct that supplied the city with water. Researchers note that Roman Olympos was built according to a regular plan — the so-called Hippodamian system with straight streets and blocks.
Traveler`s Guide
• Best time to visit: Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October), when there is no sweltering heat and nature is especially beautiful.
• Clothing and footwear: Be sure to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes — the paths are rocky, and the ruins are scattered over rugged terrain. A hat and sunscreen are necessary even on cooler days.
• Entrance and tickets: Entrance to the area is paid. It is recommended to carry cash.
• Combining with other attractions: Olympos can easily be combined with Çıralı Beach (within walking distance) and Mount Chimera (Yanartaş) with its eternal flames. Many guesthouses offer comprehensive excursions.
For lovers of antiquities, Olympos offers a rare opportunity to see an ancient city in its natural environment, untouched by large-scale restoration. The mountain river Ulupınar, flowing through the entire archaeological complex, has created a special microclimate here, turning the ancient ruins into a true subtropical oasis. Pines, laurels, oleanders, and plane trees literally embrace the stone walls, sarcophagi hide in the greenery, and the mosaic floors of Byzantine basilicas neighbor flowering shrubs.
