Mount Chimaera, Archaeological site in Cirali, Turkey
Mount Chimaera is a mountain on Turkey's Mediterranean coast where natural gas escapes from rock crevices and ignites into flames. These burning vents appear at several locations on the slope and are especially visible at night.
Ancient Lycians built temples around the burning rocks during Hellenistic times to conduct religious ceremonies there. These sacred locations also served as beacons for sailors who could see the eternal flames from the sea.
Greek mythology tells of the Chimera, a fire-breathing creature combining lion, goat, and serpent parts, and these flames are tied to that legend. The burning rocks continue to inspire the imagination of visitors who come to see them.
A walking path of about 1 kilometer leads from the village of Cirali to the mountain, equipped with wooden railings and stone steps. The climb takes around half an hour, and the best time to visit is at dusk when the flames become more visible.
The flames continue burning even during rainfall because natural gas constantly escapes from the ground. More than twenty separate fire vents dot the mountainside, each creating its own pattern.
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