Soli Pompeiopolis
The ruins of an ancient port city on the western outskirts of Mersin, where more than twenty Roman colonnade pillars stand among residential neighborhoods. The English word 'solecism' (a grammatical error) derives from this city.
Soli was founded around the 7th century BC. Its Greek-speaking residents' nonstandard speech gave English the word 'solecism', meaning a grammatical error. The Stoic philosopher Chrysippus was born here. In the 1st century BC, Pompey rebuilt the city and renamed it Pompeiopolis. The colonnaded avenue originally had about 200 columns, and about two dozen remain. At the southern end are remains of the ancient harbor breakwater, and excavations are still ongoing. The site is in the Mezitli district, about 11 km from the city center. It can be reached by bus or taxi. Entry is free, and it can be visited together with the seaside promenade.
Opening hours
All day (archaeological site viewed from outside the fence)
Nearby sights
- Mersin Seafront Promenade & Marina
- Mersin Museum
- Muğdat Mosque
- Atatürk House Museum, Mersin
- Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Ashab-ı Kehf)
- Cleopatra's Gate
- Tarsus Old Town & Ancient Road
- St. Paul's Well