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Already
thousands of years ago many hidden bays of the Lycian coast at
the Mediterranean offered safe and hidden harbours, also used
by corsairs, disturbing the trade of the Greeks and Romans
badly. The wild mountains had good places to hide the
plundered goods and treasures, impregnable for anyone. These
are the lost treasures, rumours about which can be heard up to
our days.
Even Cesar was
kidnapped here once and came free only by paying a huge
ransom. Later on he let eliminate the Kylician corsairs with
certain force. The Romans than strengthened their political
role in the Lycian area. Within the Roman high time Olympos
became an important place for trading and fine arts. The
ruins we can visit today can give a good impression about that
period.
Later in
Byzantines times the pirates are ruling again. During the
Crusades the Genuese build a new fortress to fight the
corsairs. In cause of the Roman empires disappearing the town
lost his importance and felt into darkness. The harbour was
buried by sand and the nature was growing over. During the 11th
century the whole area was devasted totally.
The ruins we
can see nowadays were excavated in the last century in a level
of about 30% but worth to be visited. While staying in Pirates
Camp it is very impressive to see the monuments, several
thousand years old, telling stories of a great history. |
