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Cirali
bay is about 4 km long. In its narrow part it spreads up to 50 m and
run up to 100 m in its wide part. Huge cliffs border the bay both to the right
and to the left. Sand is coarse to fine brownish-yellow with no dust and the
beach is pebby somewhere. In the north part the anabranch goes through the whole
village and runs into the sea. Still, herons and waterfowl nest here in spring.
In the south freshwater river running through the antique Olympos also rolls its
waters into the sea thus bordering Cirali and Olympos.
Cirali is not difficult to found
in the midway on the road linking Kemer and Cumluca. Indeed, it is much worth to
visit this place with its unique flora and fauna. Here you may meet wild boars
in the neighboring mountains and giant sea turtles which lay eggs into beach
sand. You may also watch chameleons, a variety of beautiful birds and
butterflies. Starting from middle of August till end of September  tourists
may see how turtle hatchlings leave their nests orienting themselves towards the
sea. Seasonal rains in spring bring waterfalls in the mountains and cover the
land with carpet of blooming flowers. The air is so fresh and clear that you
feel that you breathe in a life. This is the best time for hiking in mountains!
Sea water temperature never falls down below 19 degrees even in winter.
Owing to nearby ancient Olympos
city and Yanartaş (Chimaera) rock with its spontaneous flame this place has a
status of an open-air museum. Citrus gardens and age-old pines all around enrich
air with odor and make it healing for all.
For unique location, original
flora and fauna and ancient historical past Cirali has got a status of national
park and is protected by law. Ancient Olympos city and1 km beach nearby are
declared an archeology antique.
Cirali population is about 1,000
people. They mostly engaged
in farming and cattle breeding and many of them have small hotels and pensions
(pansiyons). Cirali people much care of their land to preserve this beauty for
further generations.
One more area of unique interest
in Cirali is Yanartaş (Chimaera) rock with everburning flame. This is one of the
most tourist-attractive places in the area. The myth tells that long time ago in
Argos city of Greece a Corinthian king Glaucos had a son Gipponoy who was brave
but not lucky. Accidentally Gipponoy killed a Corinthian man Beller and then was
named as Bellerophon ('Beller killer" in Greek). The boy had to leave to escape
from punishment.He hid in Tirynth with Proetus king who was a relative to Beller
but friendly met young man. Though, misfortune never comes along. Antea the
queen fell in love with Bellerophon and attempted to seduce him but he rejected
her advances. Enraged, she accused him to Proetus of attempting to seduce her
and Proetus sent him to his son-in-law Iobates to Lykia (territory of Antalia
coast)  with
the sealed letter requesting to put bearer to death. Bellerophon had no idea
that the letter was his own death! However, instead of killing, Iobates sent
Bellerophon to fight the fire-breathing monster Chimaera, part lion, goat and
serpent. Bellerophon fell abashed but Gods helped him with the aid of the winged
horse Pegasus.The dragon flied up roaring like a lion and breathing with fire
but the winged horse flied upper and the hero lanced the monster. Chimaera
crashed down to sea and turn into stone becoming a rock near the sea. Only the
monster's fire kept alive and still coming from the mountain womb. This is what
legend tells us.
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