The small town of Olympos in Turkey is known for its treehouse hotels, picturesque Mediterranean beaches andancient Lycian ruins. But another attraction is making this secluded area a tourist "hot spot" -- literally.

In the heart of the OlymposNational Park, Mount Chimaera has literally burned for thousands of years. There, at the site called Yanartas (or "flaming rocks"), one can see dozens of small fires which through the vents in the rocks, according to BBC.

Spread out over 1.2 acres, the "eternal" flames on the sea-facing slope, according to the book "Myth and Geology," byL. Piccardi and W.B. Masse.

In ancient literature, the origins of the flaming rocks of Mount Chimaera are rooted in Greek mythology. Legend has it that Chimera, the indestructible, three-headed, fire-breathing dragoness was slain at her lair by the heroBellerophon. Being an indestructible dragon, her fire-tongue remains eternally burning.

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While the dragon myth has lost ground, the vents do still spew fire (although covering it will extinguish the fire temporarily).The emissions also seem to change seasonally: . This is a common characteristic of such seeps, where gas flux is typically modulated by gas pressure build-up induced by groundwater recharge and changes in atmospheric pressure, according to a November 2008 article published in "Geofluids."

Chimaera is looking for Roman ruins and a look into the birth of a Greek myth, according to Atlas Obscura. Hikers and backpackers are also known to use the flamesto brew tea.

To see the fires and the ruins, visitors must first go to the entrance at the foot of the mountain and pay an admission fee. A rock stairway to the site has been built so the climb is easily managed.Most tourists visit at night, when the fires are at their most spectacular.

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