Adana Travel Guide

Adana, which is fourth greatest city of Turkey, is established in two sides of Seyhan River, irrigating fertlized Çukurova lands. First settlement started in Adana region since Neolithic period. Region enters under the rule of Hittites and then respectively Assyrians, Urartians, Babylonians and then Persians. Alexander the Great finishes Persian rule in B.C. 333, after his death in B.C. 323, region enters under the rule of respectively Seleuceians and Ptolemaioses and then Roman Empire in B.C. 1st Century.City, exposed to Arabian invasions in B.C. 7th Century, witnesses Crusades in 11th Century. Region is ruled by respectively Seljuks, Cilicia Armenians, Memluks and Ramazanoğulları. It is included into Ottoman territories in 1517. The oldest opus in Adana belongs to Roman period on Seyhan River and it is Stone Bridge with 21 eyes, which is constructed during the period of emperor Hadrian (117–138), repaired during the period of emperor Iustinianos I (527-565) in 6th Century. Ağaca Mosque is constructed in 1409. Ulu mosque is built during the period of Ramazanoğulları between 1513-1541. There are tomb, having sarcophagus with three tiles inside, and madrasah, constructed in 1540, and also bath, bazaar and palace buildings around the mousque. Yağ Mosque, called Old Mosque, which is turned into mosque from an old church 1501, 1541 dated Hasan Kethüda Mosque, 1530 dated Bazaar Bath, Covered Bazaar, Clock Tower, constructed between 1879-1882, are some of the other old structures in Adana. Adana Archaeological Museum, which is rich in terms of archaelogical works, etnography Museum, which is turned into a museum in 1983, from the church, constructed in 1845, Suphi Pasha Residence, organized as Ataturk Museum are the important places, which are required to be visited. Moreover, there are so many castles and sites around Adana. Karatepe Outdoor Museum/Site is located in 130km northern-east of Adana in the vicinity of Kadirli county. Remains of summer palace of king Asitavata, belonging to Late Hittite period dated as B.C. 700, are located here. As there are bilingual script as Hittite hieroglyphics and Phoenican on an orthostatic epigraph near stone reliefs (orthostatic), containing various scenes, it facilitates solution of Hittite hieroglyphics. Misis Mosaic Museum, containing mosaics of Early Byzantine period, is located in Misis in 27km east of Adana. also, Anavarza ancient city and castle is located on Ceyhan/Kadirli road in 20km east of Adana. Anavarsa castle is located on a steep hill in the place where bottom land ends, in the northern-east of Çukurova, containing fertile lands. There are ancient Anavarza city remains the lowland. Although Anazarba, Aynzarba and Anazarbus names pass in the sources, name of Anazarva is used in these days. History of city dates back. B.C 1st Century. City enters under Roman rule during the period of Emperor Claudius. Great public works are made in the city; city develops and gets rich in Roman age. City is toppled by the earthquakes, occurred during the period of Emperor Iustinos (518-527) and Iustinianos I (527-565) and it is consturcted again. City, which is exposed to Arabian invasions in 6th an 7th centuries, is captured finally and becomes an Arabic city named as Ain Zorba. Then even though it is ruled by respectively Eastern Roman, Cilicia Armenians, Mongols and Memluks and captured by Cilicia Armenians again in 1375, city could not return its old lively life and it is abandoned. Afterwards, region enters under Ottomans rule. Dilekkaya Village is located in these days on Anavarza ruins, spread into a large area. Ancient city was surrounded with walls. The city had four main gates. The walls were fortified with 56 towers. Although scientific excavations are not started in the ancient city, rich base mosaics are unearthed during the foundation excavations.

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