Anavarza: The Hidden Ancient City in Turkey’s History
Anavarza of Turkey Situated in the Cilicia region in Adana province, the founding date of this ancient city is not known. Know More!
Perched atop a majestic 150-meter hill overlooking the historic Çukurova plains stands Anavarza, a remarkable ancient city whose grandeur still echoes through time. This archaeological marvel, nestled in Turkey's Adana Province, boasts the ancient world's most magnificent street structure - a spectacular thoroughfare stretching 2,700 meters in length and spanning 34 meters across.
Time has woven a rich tapestry of civilizations through Anavarza's stones. The city's legacy unfolds through the footprints of mighty empires - Hellenistic traders, Roman builders, Byzantine artisans, Sassanid warriors, and Ottoman rulers. The year 408 AD marked Anavarza's golden age as Cilicia's capital, where wisdom and culture flourished in equal measure. Here walked the famed Dioscorides, whose medical knowledge shaped healing practices until the 18th century.
Such profound historical significance led UNESCO to embrace Anavarza into its World Cultural Heritage Tentative List in 2014, acknowledging its place among Turkey's most precious archaeological jewels.
Discovering the Hidden City
Dramatic limestone cliffs guard the ancient city of Anavarza, tucked away in Adana's Kozan district. Curious travelers venture 28 kilometers north of the D.400 highway, then eastward for 6 kilometers to reach this archaeological wonder.
Location and landscape
Nature crafted a perfect sentinel for this ancient metropolis - a towering limestone hill that rises 150 meters above the sweeping Çukurova plains. Below these rocky heights, the city reveals its story through an elevated castle and a lower city embraced by protective walls.
First archaeological findings
The year 2013 marked the beginning of archaeological revelations at Anavarza. Professor Fatih Gülşen's team, drawn first to the magnificent triumphal arch, soon unearthed secrets that rewrote history. Stone axes emerged from the earth, accompanied by obsidian and flint treasures, pushing the city's origins far beyond its presumed 19 BC founding to an astounding 5,000 BC.
Recent excavations
The 2020 excavation season brought fresh wonders to light. One hundred dedicated archaeologists unveiled layer upon layer of history:
- A grand triumphal arch stretched 22.5 meters wide
- Ancient footsteps echoed along a colonnaded street extending 2,700 meters
- An amphitheater whispered tales of gladiatorial combat
Deeper digging revealed an Abbasid-period mosque, its story preserved in weathered bricks, ash layers, and distinctive ceramic pieces. Perhaps most remarkably, archaeologists uncovered a rare gladiator burial ground near the amphitheater - only the second such discovery in Turkey. Today, careful hands work to restore the first 250-meter stretch of the colonnaded street, breathing new life into ancient stones.
Architectural Marvels of Anavarza
Medieval engineering reaches its zenith at Anavarza Castle, where stone and skill combine in a magnificent three-tiered defensive system stretching 1,500 meters across the landscape.
The mighty castle structure
Mighty walls rise 200 meters from their limestone foundation, their strength multiplied by 20 vigilant bastions spaced along them.
Three distinct sections tell the castle's story: a bustling barracks complete with its church, a commanding three-story tower anchored to solid rock, and an inner sanctuary housing vital storage spaces and life-giving water tanks. Nature herself stands guard along the western edge, where sheer cliffs form an impenetrable barrier.
Ancient city layout
Below the castle's protective shadow, the ancient city unfolds behind its formidable walls. Roman engineering genius manifests in the grand double-columned street - the largest ever built in the ancient world - extending an impressive 2,700 meters while spanning 34 meters across. This masterpiece of urban design begins its journey at the stately Ala Gate, where three proud arches welcome visitors into the city's embrace.
- Notable buildings and monuments
- Architectural splendors dot the cityscape:
- A theater emerges from the hillside rock face, one of three precious survivors from ancient Anatolia
- Emperor Domitianus's aqueduct system stands as one of history's most remarkable water-bearing monuments
- Sacred spaces abound through Byzantine churches and temples
- Beyond the city walls, a mighty Circus Maximus once thundered with activity
- Public baths still guard their artistic treasures, including an exquisite 3rd-century mosaic depicting the sea goddess Thetas
Time's gentle touch has preserved these architectural wonders with remarkable clarity. Modern eyes can still trace the sophisticated planning that shaped this thriving metropolis. Even two fierce earthquakes in 525 and 561 AD failed to erase Anavarza's glory, leading instead to ambitious reconstructions that added new chapters to its architectural story.
Discovering the Hidden City
Dramatic limestone cliffs guard the ancient city of Anavarza, tucked away in Adana's Kozan district. Curious travelers venture 28 kilometers north of the D.400 highway, then eastward for 6 kilometers to reach this archaeological wonder.
Location and landscape
Nature crafted a perfect sentinel for this ancient metropolis - a towering limestone hill that rises 150 meters above the sweeping Çukurova plains. Below these rocky heights, the city reveals its story through an elevated castle and a lower city embraced by protective walls.
First archaeological findings
The year 2013 marked the beginning of archaeological revelations at Anavarza. Professor Fatih Gülşen's team, drawn first to the magnificent triumphal arch, soon unearthed secrets that rewrote history. Stone axes emerged from the earth, accompanied by obsidian and flint treasures, pushing the city's origins far beyond its presumed 19 BC founding to an astounding 5,000 BC.
Recent excavations
The 2020 excavation season brought fresh wonders to light. One hundred dedicated archaeologists unveiled layer upon layer of history:
- A grand triumphal arch stretched 22.5 meters wide
- Ancient footsteps echoed along a colonnaded street extending 2,700 meters
- An amphitheater whispered tales of gladiatorial combat
Deeper digging revealed an Abbasid-period mosque, its story preserved in weathered bricks, ash layers, and distinctive ceramic pieces. Perhaps most remarkably, archaeologists uncovered a rare gladiator burial ground near the amphitheater - only the second such discovery in Turkey. Today, careful hands work to restore the first 250-meter stretch of the colonnaded street, breathing new life into ancient stones.
Architectural Marvels of Anavarza
Medieval engineering reaches its zenith at Anavarza Castle, where stone and skill combine in a magnificent three-tiered defensive system stretching 1,500 meters across the landscape.
The mighty castle structure
Mighty walls rise 200 meters from their limestone foundation, their strength multiplied by 20 vigilant bastions spaced along them.
Three distinct sections tell the castle's story: a bustling barracks complete with its church, a commanding three-story tower anchored to solid rock, and an inner sanctuary housing vital storage spaces and life-giving water tanks. Nature herself stands guard along the western edge, where sheer cliffs form an impenetrable barrier.
Ancient city layout
Below the castle's protective shadow, the ancient city unfolds behind its formidable walls. Roman engineering genius manifests in the grand double-columned street - the largest ever built in the ancient world - extending an impressive 2,700 meters while spanning 34 meters across. This masterpiece of urban design begins its journey at the stately Ala Gate, where three proud arches welcome visitors into the city's embrace.
- Notable buildings and monuments
- Architectural splendors dot the cityscape:
- A theater emerges from the hillside rock face, one of three precious survivors from ancient Anatolia
- Emperor Domitianus's aqueduct system stands as one of history's most remarkable water-bearing monuments
- Sacred spaces abound through Byzantine churches and temples
- Beyond the city walls, a mighty Circus Maximus once thundered with activity
- Public baths still guard their artistic treasures, including an exquisite 3rd-century mosaic depicting the sea goddess Thetas
Time's gentle touch has preserved these architectural wonders with remarkable clarity. Modern eyes can still trace the sophisticated planning that shaped this thriving metropolis. Even two fierce earthquakes in 525 and 561 AD failed to erase Anavarza's glory, leading instead to ambitious reconstructions that added new chapters to its architectural story.
Cultural Significance
Sacred echoes still resound through Anavarza's ancient stones, telling tales of faiths that bloomed and flourished within its walls. Zeus Olybris, the mountain deity, first blessed these heights, his worship spreading from Rome's seven hills. Mountains and weather patterns wove their magic, cementing Anavarza's place among the ancient world's holiest sites.
Religious importance
Sacred footprints of countless civilizations mark Anavarza's spiritual journey through time. Byzantine glory touched the city most profoundly, elevating it to an archbishopric's seat.
The Church of the Apostles rose proudly as the city's largest house of worship, its very stones speaking of early Christianity's flowering. This magnificent structure claimed its role as a bishopric center during the fourth or fifth century, standing as the ancient city's earliest and most imposing church.
Stone and spirit joined hands in Anavarza's religious architecture. Byzantine craftsmen left their mark through the 6th-century Rock Church and Apostles Church. Christianity's arrival brought gentle transformation - crosses and sacred Christian symbols slowly replaced the old pagan markers.
Faith burned bright in Anavarza's streets. Christian martyrs' tales traveled from these walls to inspire the faithful in distant Pisidia and Pamphylia through the Church of Iconium. Armenian builders later added their own chapter, raising religious structures throughout the fortress, including T'oros I's intimate basilica in AD 1111. These sacred spaces, alongside scattered temples throughout the city, whisper ancient prayers and beliefs to modern ears.
Visiting Anavarza Today
Ancient stones await modern footsteps at Anavarza, where centuries of history unfold before curious eyes. Practical wisdom enhances any journey to these remarkable ruins, nestled within Kozan district's timeless landscape.
How to get there
Adana's international airport serves as the gateway to Anavarza's wonders. Seventy kilometers separate the city center from these ancient stones. Modern travelers might choose rental cars for freedom of exploration, while guided taxi tours offer local wisdom, weaving through Kozan, Yilankale, and Anavarza over six enlightening hours. Regular minibusses connect Kozan's district center to Dilekkaya village, offering a glimpse into local life.
The best time to visit
Spring breezes (April to June) and autumn's gentle sun (September to November) create perfect conditions for archaeological adventures. These seasons gift visitors with mild temperatures ideal for castle ascents and ruins exploration. Summer's fierce sun demands early morning or late afternoon wanderings. Spring holds special magic as wildflowers carpet the plains in nature's own celebration.
What to see
- Treasures await at every turn:
- Three proud arches stand sentinel at the triumphal gate
- Roman baths whisper tales through intricate mosaic patterns
- Stadium and theater ruins echo ancient entertainments
- Columns march 1,700 meters along the grand street
- Byzantine artistry lives on in the 6th-century Rock Church
Dilekkaya village provides modern necessities through its modest grocery store. Wise wanderers carry water and don sturdy shoes for the rewarding 40-minute castle ascent. Local villagers, guardians of ancient tales, warmly share their heritage and occasionally display discovered artifacts, adding personal touches to historical encounters.
Millennia of human achievement rise from Anavarza's stones, where empires etched their stories into the landscape. Grand visions of ancient builders live on through the magnificent 34-meter-wide thoroughfare and proud castle walls, marking this site among Turkey's greatest archaeological treasures.
Earth yields fresh wonders with each careful excavation. Stone tools speak of life from 5,000 BC, while fallen gladiators rest in their rare burial ground. Brilliant minds of antiquity shaped this metropolis, their genius preserved in triple-tiered fortifications, sweeping aqueducts, and sacred spaces that pierce the centuries.
Hidden from common tourist paths, Anavarza guards authentic echoes of civilization's past. Spring flowers and autumn breezes welcome modern pilgrims who seek these ancient stories, where architectural splendor meets spiritual legacy beneath Turkish skies.
Trowels and brushes continue their patient work, coaxing secrets from soil that has held them close for centuries. Each discovery adds new chapters to Anavarza's tale, reminding modern eyes how human hands and hearts shaped stone into civilization's climbing steps.
FAQs
Q1. What is the legend of Anavarza?
The legend of Anavarza is linked to its ancient past and the many civilizations that once ruled over it. One popular tale speaks of a hidden treasure buried beneath its ruins, guarded by supernatural forces. Another legend tells of a cursed princess whose sorrowful cries can still be heard echoing through the fortress on quiet nights. These myths, woven with history, add to Anavarza’s mystique, making it a place of both wonder and intrigue.
Q2. When was Anavarza first settled?
Recent archeological discoveries have pushed back the timeline of Anavarza's settlement. While previously thought to date from 19 BC, the unearthing of stone tools suggests that the area was inhabited as early as 5,000 BC.
Q3. What are some of the most impressive architectural features of Anavarza?
Anavarza's architectural marvels include a three-tiered castle with a 1,500-meter defensive system, a 2,700-meter double-columned street, and a theater partially carved into the hillside.
Q4. What is the religious significance of Anavarza?
Anavarza was an important religious center throughout history. It was the center of the Zeus Olybris cult and later became an archbishopric under the Byzantine Empire. The city contains various religious structures, including the Church of the Apostles and the 6th-century Rock Church.
Q5. When is the best time to visit Anavarza, and what should visitors expect to see?
The best times to visit Anavarza are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild. Visitors can explore the triumphal arch, ancient Roman baths with mosaics, stadium and theater ruins, the colonnaded street, and the Byzantine-era Rock Church. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially for the 40-minute castle climb.