Tarsus Old Town & Ancient Road
Tarsus Tarihi Evleri ve Antik Yol
The historic core of St. Paul's hometown: a 2,000-year-old basalt Roman road, Ottoman stone-house lanes, the 16th-century Kırkkaşık covered market, and the Grand Mosque.
Tarsus lies about 27 kilometers northeast of Mersin. It is the birthplace of the apostle Paul and the ancient city where Mark Antony met Cleopatra. The heart of the old town is the Roman-era basalt paved road, Antik Yol, unearthed in 1993 and viewable for free. The surrounding area preserves many Ottoman-era stone houses, some of which now operate as restaurants and cafés. On foot you can reach the 16th-century Ramazanoğlu-era covered market, Kırkkaşık Bedesteni, the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), and the Makam Mosque, which houses the shrine of the prophet Daniel. Don't miss tantuni wraps and cezerye, carrot-based jelly candy. Mersin is about 40 minutes away by train or minibus.
Opening hours
Districts open all day; markets open by day
Nearby sights
- St. Paul's Well
- Cleopatra's Gate
- St. Paul's Church, Tarsus
- Tarsus Waterfall
- Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Ashab-ı Kehf)
- Atatürk House Museum, Mersin
- Muğdat Mosque
- Mersin Museum