Old Town

Eastern Mediterranean


The compact Old City lies between Adana Bulvarı and Hal Caddesi. It includes a wonderful 60m-long stretch of Roman road and a labyrinth of alleyways hemmed by Tarsus Historical Houses, many crumbling, but one now housing the Elif Hatun Konağı boutique hotel.

Just southeast are several historic mosques, including the Eski Cami (Old Mosque), a medieval structure that was originally a church dedicated to St Paul. Adjacent looms the barely recognisable brickwork of a huge old Roman bath.

Just south is the late-19th-century Makam Cami (Official Mosque), and to the southwest across Adana Bulvarı is believed to be the tomb of the Prophet Daniel. To the south is the 16th-century Ulu Cami (Great Mosque), sporting a curious 19th-century minaret moonlighting as a clock tower. Nearby is the 19th-century Kırkkaşık Bedesten (Forty Spoons Bazaar), still used as a covered bazaar today.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Eastern Mediterranean attractions

1. Roman Road

0.11 MILES

A wonderful 60m-long stretch of Roman road was uncovered in the heart of the Old City in 1993; note the herringbone design and the sewer system directly…

2. St Paul's Well

0.13 MILES

Just on the edge of the Old City is St Paul's well, where the holy man did slake his thirst some two millennia ago. In the leafy courtyard the ruins of…

3. Eski Cami

0.13 MILES

Southeast of the Old City are several historical mosques that have played other roles, including the Old Mosque, a medieval structure that was originally…

4. Prophet Daniel's Tomb

0.14 MILES

The remains of the Prophet Daniel are believed to be buried deep within the foundations of the older part of the present-day Makam Cami.

5. Roman Bath

0.15 MILES

A large arched wall, 3m thick, in the Old City is all that remains of a big Roman baths complex built in the 2nd century AD.

6. Kırkkașık Bedesteni

0.16 MILES

This old marketplace, whose name means `40 Spoons Bazaar' in Turkish, was built in 1597 and has also served as a soup kitchen, medrese (religious seminary…

7. Tarsus Museum

0.16 MILES

The Tarsus Museum, which was at the time of research in the process of moving from its former location in the city’s cultural centre to a disused…

8. Makam Cami

0.17 MILES

The main building of the Makam Cami (Official Mosque) was built in 1857, with a minaret added 10 years later. The older foundations to the north are…