Chimaera

The place northeast of the ancient city of Olympos at an elevation of 250 m is known as "Yanarta§/Qiralf. The area is called Yanarta§ (Chimaera) because of the inflammable gas, consisting of a 46% hydrogen and 34% methane compound, issuing from the cracks formed as a result of the tectonic earthquakes at the meeting points of the serpentine land and limestone rocks. According to mythology, Bellerophon, the son of Glaucos, came into the possession of Pegasus, the winged horse much desired by him, and killed with it the dragon called Chimaera sending flames out of its mouth, but could not extinguish the fire. Thus, this was the place where the Olympos torch was fired. The noteworthy ancient ruin is the Byzantine Orthodox Basilica Complex. The ceremonial area made of large, single piece block stones confirms the existence of the Temple of the God of Fire here. Along the ancient road known as "Road of Fire", one big and two more small fires are visible. Further up, the road branches into two, the road turning west is called the Sacred Ceremonial Way. 15 km to the east, however, Goktas, Castle is found at an altitude of 800 m.