Situated in the middle of the Cukurova Plain
(Cilician Plain), Adana is the fourth largest city of Turkey, nestled in the
most fertile agricultural area of the whole country which is fed by the
lifegiving waters of River Seyhan.
The city's name originates in mythology, where
it was said to have been founded by Adanus, the son of Kronus (God of Weather).
Due to its being in the heart of that fertile
center Adana has been an important city for many civilizations for centuries
dating back to the Hittites. The precious River Seyhan is spanned by the ancient
Taskopru (Stone Bridge) which was built by Hadrian and then repaired by
Justinian. It is worth noting that to built a 300 yards long stone bridge in
Roman times was a real feat.
In the city, the 16thcentury Great Mosque (Ulu
Camii), the Yag or Eski Mosque, the Hasan Aga Mosque, Saat Kulesi (the
clock-tower) built in 1882, an old covered bazaar, Bedesten or Arasta are of
interest. Also be sure to see the Ethnographical Museum where Turkish carpets,
swords, manuscript books and tombstones are exhibited. The building itself is
interesting as well since it was built as a church by the Crusaders. The Adana
Archaeological Museum merits visiting too. Adana is also famous for its
delicious Adana Kebap.
The tea houses and restaurants alongside the
Seyhan Dam and Lake provide a cool and perfect view of the city and the river at
sunsets.
Yumurtalik (84 kms from Adana) and Karatas (50
kms from Adana)are the nearest beaches with proper accommodation. In Yumurtalik
there is an ancient harbour castle contributing much to this pretty fishing
city. For fishing, there is Camlik Park 30 kms southwest of Adana.
There are some ancient cities on the road to
Iskenderun which include Roman remnants. Misis is on the caravan route that came
from China, India and Persia. Among the remains of Roman times, the most
interesting is the elegant mosaic of the 4th century A.D representing Noah's
Ark. Yilanlikale has the ruins of a fortress set atop a peak dominating the
River Ceyhan. Dilekkaya, the ancient Anavarza, was an important RomanByzantine
city which still preserves the outline of the old city including two
particularly worthwhile mosaics. Karatepe National Park is the neoHittite site
where you will find the remains of the summer residence of King Asitawada,
tablets of Hittite and Phoenician inscriptions, and an openair museum holding
many remnants. Castabala and Toprakkale are the other historical remains.
Karsanb Forest, Burucek, Tekir, Horzum, Zorkum meadows are ideal for picnicking
and resting.
Time Line of Cilicia - Adana
The south coast of Anatolia northeast of
Cyprus and northwest of Antioch. There are really two Cilicias; the east is a
broad plain, quite fertile, while in the west the ramparts of the Taurus
Mountains run right down to the sea, with the interior being quite rugged and
underpopulated.
To the Hittites................................c.
2200-c. 1200
To
Babylonia.......................................609-539
Kingdom of Cilicia
Syennesis
I...................................fl. 585 Note that "Syennesis" appears to be a title rather than a
proper name - thus, the names of this person and the two others listed below
are problematic.
Appuwašu......................................fl. c.
546
To Persia..........................................539-332
Epyaxa is known from references to her in Xenophon's
Persian Expedition, where she gives considerable aid to the rebel
Cyrus. The comments about her do not explicitly state that she was a
co-ruler with Syennesis III, simply that she was "Queen" - but she acted in
a very independent fashion.
