|
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 geysers 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 ever-burning 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 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 center.
It is not known what this may have been, although it is possible that it
represents the remains of a gymnasium. Beyond this, below the necropolis
is the theatre of Olympos. Large pieces of rubble spread over the
surrounding area and piled up in the orchestra show this to have been a
theatre of the classical Roman type. Beyond the theatre can be seen a ramp
constructed of polygonal stone coursing which leads into the city's
necropolis. Buildings from the medieval period can be seen on the hills
overlooking the sea.
|