Olympos History, Antalya

Olympos is situated between the holiday resort of Kemer and the village of Adrasan. We follow a sign leading from Ulupinar to the ruins of Olympos, where we find not only the ruins of Olympos but volcanic terrain which has formed from constantly fuming geisers of natural hot gas.

The ruins of the city are set along the banks of a small stream, and although small, it is a very interesting site, unforgettable in its striking position by the sea, and curious for its everburning light.

The left bank of the stream is completely covered with undergrowth, and with great difficulty, one can make out the remains of a wall, and over it a door on certain ruins. This is all that remains of a temple on that side of the stream. What stands now is probably the wall separating the pronaos and the cella of the temple. From the inscription of this temple we understand that it was built during the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. It had a plan of the in antis type, and was of the ionic order. Beyond the temple, other buildings still standing date from the Byzantine period, and on the side facing the sea can be found the remains of a bath. To the south of the stream, opposite the foot of a bridge crossing it can be seen the ruins of a large Byzantine basilica, while the remains of the bath stretch down to the shore behind it.

Between the basilica and the theatre of Olympos lies a building in ruins, with columns in the centre. It is not known what this may have been, although it is possible that it represents the remains of a gymnasium.