At the northern end of Cirali Beach, at an altitude of 984 ft. are two outcrops of volcanic rock, where an unknown natural gas permanently burns....Yanartas (ya nar tash) or burning stone in Turkish. It is also known as Chimaera, the 3 headed mythological beast that the hero Bellerophon, on Pegasus, slayed by pouring molten lead into it's mouth. In ancient times, the fire was used to warn ships of impending danger. There is no scientific explanation for the phenomenon; the fire can be extinguished, only to come right back.
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| Nourishment before the climb |
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| The climb, a half kilometer at a very steep grade; this lovely looking path only goes so far before it becomes rugged, but well marked |
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| Beauty to be seen along the way |
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| Rest breaks are important |
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| Yes, we made it! |
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| Ruins of a Byzantine Church, with frescoes and incredible views; this was most probably originally a temple to Vulcan, God of Fire. |
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| Three "kings" of the mountain |
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| This family, oddly enough from Bursa, befriended us and shared their "picnic"...roasting sausage on a stick, bread and wine |
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| Back at the bottom...and back to the hotel. |
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