Yanartaş, Turkey: the sacred fire that has been burning for 2,500 years

Yanartaş, situated in the district of Kemer in the province of Antalya, in the south of Turkey, is a popular tourist destination known for the legend surrounding the battle between the Chimera and the hero Bellerophon and his horse Pegasus, and for having hosted the first Olympic flame in history. Visited every year by thousands of foreign tourists, this natural site continues to attract travellers fascinated by a mysterious phenomenon that has persisted for thousands of years: here, one can see flames of fire literally emerging from the rocks of the mountain.

Situated near the Turkish village of Çıralı, within the Beydağları Coastal National Park, Yanartaş welcomes visitors drawn not only by the natural fire emerging from the cracks in the rocks, but also by the mythological tales associated with this incredible place. The site is, in fact, a regular stop for local and foreign tourists travelling along the so-called Lycian Way, a route of around 500 kilometres that runs along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey from Fethiye to Antalya, following ancient paths of the historic Kingdom of Lycia and connecting various ruins and archaeological monuments.

Many tourists stop here to watch the flames emerging from the crevices or the historical remains in the surrounding area, and some even roast marshmallows over the fire coming from the rocks, which is the main attraction in the area for day-trippers.

Interestingly, recent observations have revealed changes in the distribution of the flames; whilst in some places where there used to be fire, it has now disappeared, other cracks in the rocky surface continue to burn. For the time being, scientists cannot agree on why the fire has gone out in some areas or whether or not this is a temporary phenomenon. One possible explanation points to variations in the underground gas pockets that feed the flames, or to changes or blockages in the boreholes through which the gas escapes to the surface.

The origin of the Yanartaş fire

Professor Fuzuli Yağmurlu, from the Faculty of Engineering at Süleyman Demirel University in Isparta (Turkey), is one of the scientists who has been investigating this phenomenon for several years. In comments reported by the Turkish news agency DHA, the academic suggested that the fire is caused by a leak of underground natural gas; in a previous research, the professor also raised the possibility that the gas might have ignited in ancient times due to a lightning strike or even by human action.

The origin of the gas fuelling the flames has also been the subject of international scientific research. In a study published a few years ago by Giuseppe Etiope and Artur Ionescu, it was experimentally demonstrated that methane gas can form at low temperatures without a biological source, through the so-called catalytic effect of ruthenium, a hard, whitish metal similar to platinum. This is a possible scientific explanation that could shed light on the origin and enduring nature of the Yanartaş gas emissions.

The legend of the Chimera and the first Olympic flame in history

Beyond the scientific explanations, the flames of Yanartaş are linked in ancient legends to the Chimera, a mythological monster. According to local legend, this creature had the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent, and breathed fire from its mouth, spreading terror amongst the region’s inhabitants.

The legend states that the hero Bellerophon confronted the monster whilst riding his winged horse Pegasus and managed to defeat it, burying it deep beneath the mountain. However, the Chimera did not die and continued to breathe fire, which is why tradition holds that the flames of Yanartaş are the fiery breath of the Chimera, which remains alive in the bowels of the earth.

Another ancient account states that, to commemorate Bellerophon’s victory over the creature, the inhabitants of the nearby city of Olympos organised a race in which athletes carried torches lit with the sacred fire of Yanartaş and ran from there to the city. These races are today regarded in Türkiye as the first example in history of Olympic Games in Anatolia.

Whether or not the story about the “first Olympic flame” or the fierce battle between the Chimera and Bellerophon, what is certain is that Yanartaş remains one of the most interesting tourist destinations to visit in Antalya and along the so-called Lycian Way, and that for 2,500 years its flames have continued to fascinate those who visit this mysterious corner of Turkey.

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