Olympos Örenyeri

About Olympos Örenyeri

Olympos is an ancient city in a wooded river valley that opens onto the sea in Kumluca district. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism says it was founded in the 3rd century BC and was a strong settlement both economically and in population, which is shown by its three votes in the council of the Lycian League. In the 1st century BC its sheltered position made it a haven for pirates. The pirate leader Zeniketes, who threatened the people of the Mediterranean for a long time, used it as a base, and Olympos came to be called the city of the pirates. That lasted until 78 BC, when the Roman commander Servilius Isauricus captured the city and made it Roman. The remains are scattered along both banks of the river that runs through the valley, and many are hidden in dense vegetation. Look for the acropolis on its high hill, the city walls, the theatre, the river itself, which was turned into a canal by walls on both sides, and the remains of a bridge. The area is also a natural conservation area: the Ministry notes that its coast is a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and that the sea is clear all year. Nearby is the Chimaera, the ever-burning fire that mythology links with the fire-breathing Chimera. The site is open every day. When checked in November 2026 the Ministry listed hours of 08:00 to 19:00, with the ticket office closing at 18:30; hours change by season. MüzeKart is valid for Turkish citizens.