Okolice Silifke

North of Silifke (ok. 28 km) there are ruins of the ancient city of Olbia-Diocezareja (today Uzuncaburc – High tower). The city lies at a height above 1110 m n.p.m. on the wooded hills of the Taurus Mountains. From 111 w. p.n.e., after that, how Seleucus I subjugated the city (it was then that he founded Seleukeja), Zeus Olbijski was worshiped here. A century later, Olbia came under the control of the Theucrid dynasty of priest-kings, who ruled then a large area of ​​mountain Cilicia. From Roman times the city was called Diocesarea, as we know from the coins found among the ruins. Present, the Turkish name Uzuncaburc comes from the monumental Hellenistic tower, most of which has survived to this day.

The ruins of the temple of Zeus Olbijski have been best preserved, arose under Seleucus I in the beginning 111 w. p.n.e. It is said to be one of the earliest Corinthian temples in Asia Minor. The base of the temple measures 40×21 m, and its colonnade consisted of grooved columns: twelve on the sides and six on the front and rear, of which the majority still stands today, because until 30 columns, and two more with capitals. In Byzantine times, the temple was turned into a church.

A small theater was established in the 2nd century. for Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his co-ruler Lucius Verus. The shrine could contain 3000 viewers. Parts of Colonnaded Street are also well preserved, at the end of which there is a fragment of propylene (decorative gate) with Corinthian columns supporting the entablature. The Temple of Tyche was built at the end of the 1st century. p.n.e., and it was founded by a certain Oppius and his wife Kyria. They immortalized their names on an inscription carved in the architrave (the lowest part of the entablature, resting directly on the capitals of the columns). From six columns, which originally stood in the vestibule, as many as five have survived to this day. Five-story, square Hellenistic tower (east of the village) it belonged to the defensive walls of the ancient city. Reaching 20 m in height, it has always been a landmark of the city, immortalized even on the coins minted here. The tower was dedicated to Zeus Olbijski.

We will get to Uzuncaburc by dolmusz (1,5 USD), which, however, runs very rarely, from here we'll likely have trouble getting back to Silifke. The stop is on the northern side of the river, at the eastern end of Ataturk Cad., near the bridge. If we are several, we can hire a taxi (ok. 20 USD).

Not far from the road to Mersin (ok. 30 km east of Silifke, near the village of Narhkuyu) two beautiful Cennet caves lie (Sky) i hell (Hell). You enter the Heaven Cave through a huge cauldron, pseudo ravine, or rather a valley formed by the collapse of a rocky slope. The valley is covered with lush vegetation, and one descends to it by numerous massive stairs. The total depth of the cauldron and the cave is 135 m, and the width, or rather the diameter of the ravine, well over 200 m. On the border of the valley and the grotto, there is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built in the Byzantine times. It was built on the foundations of the temple of Zeus (ok. 2nd century. p.n.e.), in ancient times it was believed, that this is where Zeus imprisoned Typhon, the terrible monster Fr. 100 dragon heads and snake legs, who tried to throw the god of the world from his throne. The importance of this place for the superstitious is evidenced by the pieces of materials hung on trees to remind the afterlife of mortals and help them in misfortune and disease. The well-audible hum at the bottom of the cave is an underground river, which originates near Narhnkuyu. To hell, just east of Heaven, better not to enter without a guide or speleological qualifications. Deep on 120 in the karst funnel is fascinating, but terrifying at the same time. The cave measures 50×75 m. Near both caves there is an entrance to the third cave, Dilek Magarasi, (Cave of Requirements), we go down the winding stairs. Inside you can observe fascinating, beautifully formed stalactites and stalagmites. The stuffy air is supposed to heal people with asthma.

You can visit the caves on the way to Kizkalesi and Tarsus or else – which is worth recommending – make a separate trip. Dolmusz will take us to the village of Narhkuyu. On the left side of the main road you will find a signpost to the caves, some distant from here 2 km (30 min walk).

Farther east, tourists with a lot of time and curious about the eastern atmosphere of Antakya will go (Hatay). Archeology amateurs will probably also go there to visit a nice museum, which gathered many well-preserved mosaics. On the way to Antakya, you can visit the island castle – Kizkalesi, the town of Tarsus and Adana. For the impatient, the tour ends in Silifke – from here they will set out to conquer Konya (route 4) and finally famous, beautiful land, what is Cappadocia, that through the eastern cities: Sivas, Erzurum and Kars reach the Black Sea.

From Silifke we will set off first to Adana. Ci, who have not yet visited the Heaven and Hell caves, and they intend to do it on the way, they must leave early in the morning, because Kizkalesi is also a must. Adana is the end goal on the first day, but all of you, who will not make it there tonight (and they would have to try very hard), they should stop at Tarsus, which undoubtedly has its advantages (even this, that you don't have to come back here from Adana). But let's remember, that the accommodation base in Tarsa is very modest. But to make it on time, it would be worth catching a big bus to Adana in Kizkalesi, who will get us there in no time, and if it fails, you should go by dolmusz (1,4 USD, l h) do Mersinu, from where the direct minibuses to Adana depart. Adana route – We will defeat Antakya at once, because there is nothing very interesting along the way, and even if it is (Yilanli Kale Crusader Castle – "serpentine”, visible from the highway), it's very difficult to access without your own means of transport. The road to Antakya itself is not particularly interesting or scenic, and even boring. The only better episode is Silifke – to Kizkales, as well as a short section on the Adana Antakya route (mountains). To start a route journey 4, best to go to Konya directly from Antakya, and if we don't make the bus, it is worth going to Adana, from where we will get to Konya quickly.