Tarsus Environmental

TARSUS

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAIL

INTRODUCTION: Tarsus is a historic city in south-central Turkey, 20 km inland from the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Turkey with a population of 3 million.

Tarsus District forms an administrative district in the eastern part of the Mersin Province and lies in the core of Çukurova region.

With a history going back over 6,000 years, Tarsus has long been an important stop for traders, a focal point of many civilisations including the Roman Empire, when Tarsus was capital of the province of Cilicia, the scene of the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra, where the Apostle Paul grew up after having been deported as a young child from his native village Gishala (modern Jish) in Upper Galilee.

OBJECTIVES: Through our adult studies program curricula, Tarsus Şoförler ve Otomobilciler encourages breadth of vision and promotes the maximum development of each student intellectually, spiritually, culturally, and physically. The following educational objectives are at the core of the adult studies program: Develop students' potential, enabling them to face the future with confidence and determination.

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Prepare adult students for leadership and service in their chosen vocation.

Apply critical thinking and reasoning skills to identify problems and to develop problem-solving abilities.

Apply theoretical knowledge to solve real-life problems through teamwork within the context of an active learning environment.

Facilitate social development and effectiveness in interpersonal relationships through developing personal values and constructive attitudes toward work, other people, and the quality of life.

Form a broad base for a detailed study in a major discipline while giving Christian perspective on the world of ideas.

Foster and promote a sense of Biblical ethics and values to be applied in the students' personal and professional lives.

Develop written and oral communication skills.

Encourage students to interact with the physical, geographical, historical, scientific, cultural and linguistic.

Contribute to develop observation skills.

Communicate the importance of preservation of all natural and urban spaces.

Raise awareness of the fragility of ecosystems and consider the need to implement measures to conserve them.

Approach to the indigenous biodiversity of the ecosystem.

Appropriate use of public spaces.

CONTENTS: -History of the city of Tarsus.

-Standards and uses of the city.

-Access to the disabled.

-Treatment, sorting and disposal of waste generated.

Guidance in the middle.

-Use and distribution of water in the city.

-Basic knowledge of historical places Tarsus.

Influences of human-natural environment.

ITINERARY • • •

History of Tarsus.

Cleopatra’s Gate St. Paul’s Well

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Cave of the Seven Sleepers ( Eshab-ı Kehf)

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Ancient Road Prophet Daniel

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Tarsus Waterfall

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Roman Baths

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Donuktaş Roman Temple

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Old Mosque

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St. Paul’s Church Kırkkaşık Historical Bazaar

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Ulu Mosque

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New Baths

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Bac (Justinian) Bridge

1.History of Tarsus According to the knowledge available today the oldest inhabitants of Tarsus were the Luwi, the oldest settlement being found at Gözlükule

situated in the southern part of today's city. The excavations made by Professor Hetty Goldman during 1933, revealed that the first settlement of Tarsus dates from Neolithic times; establishing that people lived on the rather large Mound for 7000 years. At the same time it has come to light that findings belonging to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages demonstrates that the region of Anatolia was at that time moving to a strong position in commercial trade.

The excavations reveal another valuable aspect, namely that the mound stratification most important layers are those belonging to the Hittite Age. Inscriptions from the 16th century B.C reveal that the city was known as Tarsha. The texts suggest that the city was probably the center of what was known as the Kizzuwatna Kingdom.

However, following that period, a large proportion of the city was destroyed due to immigration of a separate ethnic group followed by a period of no new migration.

When we come to the 9th century, the dominance of the Assyrian Kingdom becomes apparent. The Assyrians named the Çukurova Plain as Que, once again making Tarsus, which was then known as Tarzi, the capital of the region. The settlement of Phoenicians, Assyrians, Rhodes Islanders, Cyprus Islanders, and lonians resulted in a high point in commercial trade. According to ancient sources, the city is mentioned as being moved due to a rebellion that was subsequently violently put down by the Assyrian King Sennacherib. The sources reveal that the city was moved from the mound further inland to the

plain. The new city was built on either side of the Berdan River, to make it appear more like Babylon that had the river Euphrates flowing through it.

From the 6th century, that is 612 until 333 B.C, another eastern people group known as the Persians enter the stage. The city known as Tarzi again became the capital of the independent kingdom of Syennesis, until the year 547 B. C, due to the occupation army of the Persians. However, the Çukurova became a satrapy in the early 4th century with the city remaining the capital for the satrap until the end of the Persian rule. It appears, that other Persian Satraps from other destroyed cities in Anatolia were released at the border, moreover when Alexander speedily crossed through and rapidly took control of the Cilician Gates (at Gßlek), he did not interfere with the freedom of the people of Tarsus. The invasions were effective because of the last Satrap Arsemes's misplaced faith in the strength of the Cilician Gate, consequently he was slow to respond to the danger. However, the city was not sacked, as was the normal practice of the time. It could be said that the powerful Tarsus of the Hellenistic Period was thus unwittingly helped along its way. However, up until recently not much was known of this period. Perhaps the Ancient Road uncovered by chance in 1993 sheds some new light on this dark epoch. The polygonal shaped basalt stones of the road, passes on to us a strong example of the wealth of the period. It hints at a period of richness and visual pleasure. The excavations to the Ancient Road clearly reveal finds belonging to what is known as the Antique Age. They clearly illustrate the importance of Tarsus during that period.

Tarsus after the death of Alexander and during the reign of Seleukos, continued its role as an important metropolitan center. The cities name was changed to Kydnos Antiokeia for a short time during this period. Moreover, after the 2nd century B.C it once again declared its independence and one of the cities greatest periods of prosperity ensued. It is not certain as to when Tarsus first came under the rule and authority of the Roman Empire. In the year 63 B.C, the Roman General Pompeius established the provincial government system in the Anatolian areas and thereby Tarsus again became a leading city of the Cilician Region. This state of affairs remained until Vespasian (A.D 6979). As a consequence of this arrangement, the city once again experienced a position of greatness during the first century A.D. After Vespasian, the provincial capital was moved to Syria. However, Tarsus remained the regions largest metropolitan city. The city of today reveals many objects and works that date from the 1st century B.C onvwards. These include the Ancient Road, Cleopatra's Gate (also known as Sea Gate, Silifke Gate, or Kancık Gate), the temple known locally as Donuktaş, and the Roman Baths also known locally as the Altından Geçme. With the steady collapse of the Roman Empire, beginning in the middle of the 3rd century, the city began a gradual demise.

The loss of battle after battle in the region resulted in the city paying a high price in terms of influence. Much loss and damage was sustained from that time, this includes the first invasions of the

Arab- Muslims in the middle of the 7th century. The cities splendor lasted possibly until as late as the Byzantine Period, after which some lived in prosperity and others in servitude.

The Arab invasion marks the beginning of a disastrous time. The misery wrought by the Crusaders also resulted in an almost daily decline. A measure of calm was restored by the Ottomans, a development completed by the Karamanoğulları. From this period onwards Tarsus existed as a typical small Ottoman cosmopolitan town. Agriculture supported by a minimal amount of trade were the mainstay of its economy.

2.Cleopatra’s Gate The gate is the last of several that were part Tarsus's ancient walls; it opened from the city to the west. Due to lack of adequate knowledge of certain periods, but according to the materials used, it can be assumed that the present gate is either from the Late Byzantine or Abbasid Period.

However, evidence suggests that the present gate is situated on the same site as the earlier one. The present gates arch is 8.50 m high and 5.60 m at its middle. The gate, including its arch, has in the recent past undergone a poor restoration.

3.St. Paul’s Well 200 meters northeast of the Ancient Road, we find the area known locally as Saint Paul's Well. The site has for many years been a place of pilgrimage. During the times that Christians ruled in Tarsus the well's

water

was

supposed

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be

holy

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useful

for

healing.

The place is now of special interest for tourists who come to visit in order to see the 20 m. deep well and the partially excavated walls near the site.

4.Cave of the Seven Sleepers ( Eshab-覺 Kehf) Although many claim the location of the 'Seven Sleepers' Cave worldwide, the most important of those is the cave Eshab-覺 Kehf in Tarsus. The exact time that the events here took place is unknown. The Holy Koran mentions the events, known as the Eshab-覺 Kehf verses, and hence Muslims consider the cave important.

It is acknowledged that though there are various versions of the event in circulation. The main theme in all of them is

that seven young men fell asleep in a cave due to the oppression by the nobles of Tarsus! This version relates an unchanging point as seen in all other accounts, namely that the men Meksemlina, Yemliha, Mislina, Mernus, Debernus, Sazenus, Kefestatayyus, and their dog K覺tmir slept for 309 years in a cave locted at a hill named Enculus. When Yemliha was sent by his friends into the (city of ) Tarsus, it became apparent what had occured. The names of the men in a Christian version are Maksimyanus, Malkus(Margus), Martininanus, Konstanitnos, Dionisyus, Yuhanis and Suresiyu.

The belief in this story, which is an important part of people's lives in the Anatolian region, takes place in the Eshab-覺 Kehf, 12 Km. north of Tarsus.

The hill of Enculus has a natural cave, which consists of an enclosed area of about 200 m2. It can today be accesesed by 15 steps leading directly to the main chamber. A mosque has been built directly above the cave. Sultan Abdulaziz's mother Pertevniyal Sultan comissioned the city agent Ahmet Efendi to build the mosque in 1872. The tall, three balconied minaret, was later added. The improvements made around the mosque have helped Tarsus become an important tourist centre.

The story continues, by relating that the sleepers, upon waking went to town but were recognised because they attempted to use a currency long out of use. Once captured, they were taken back to the cave where they immediately became young birds perched in a nest.

Because the cave story is found in the Koran it is considered to be holy by Muslims.

Several other versions of the story exist. Many years after the Apostle Paul spread the Gospel message in this region, the Roman Emperor Takyanus (Diocletianus), began to rule over the region of Tarsus. Wanting to turn the young men from their belief in one God to a belief in the many gods of the Romans. They threatened the men with death. The Emperor gave the men several days to make up their minds. During that time they escaped to the cave and there, by reason of a miracle, fell into a deep sleep for 309 years. The first to wake after this time, Yemliha, went to the town to buy food. The townspeople did not believe the young mans explanation of the events, and were confused because of the old coinage he carried. Together with some of the people of the city, they returned to the cave but found nothing but seven young birds perched in a nest.

5.Ancient Road The well preserved remains of the two thousand years old road were found by chance in Tarsus in the year 1993. The road, which was in extensive use during ancient times, may well have witnessed many famous names passing along its way.

Amongst them we find people like Saint Paul, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Athenedoros, Nestor, Cleopatra, Mark Anthony and Hadrian.

The ancient road located right in the heart of modern Tarsus, is covered for the most with polygonal basalt blocks.The road, which is 6.5 m. wide, has been excavated to a length of 60 m. The things noticeable at first glance are the cambered shape of the surface and the unusual drainage system directly below the surface of the road. Directly on the eastern side of the road a series of pillars are found, while on the western side houses

dating back to the Roman Period were located. Mosaics dating back to the 4th or 5th century A.D. reveal that the road was in use for a long period of time.

6.Prophet Daniel The Prophet Daniel lived during the reign of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar Second (605-562 B.C) and was renowned as a skilled administrator. According to one rumor, King Nebuchadnezzar, by means of a dream, learnt that one of the sons of Israel would take his throne. He therefore ordered the death of all sons born to Israel. As Daniel was growing up he was supposedly left in a cave and raised by a both a male and a female lion. Upon maturity, he was alleged to have gone back to his people, the Jews, recognized as prophet and saving them by means of his scientific and soothsaying skills.

Every place that the Prophet Daniel stayed was blessed and due to a drought leading to a famine, he was invited to Tarsus. After living, and later supposedly dying here, he was counted as being among the prophets as

found in the Torah. The whereabouts of his tomb was forgotten until the 17th year af er the Hegira, when one of Omer's commanders, Ebu Musa ElEs'ari became aware of it. The body that was discovered to be resting there was of a person who was tall, his garments containing threads of gold.

That this was indeed the Prophet Daniel was revealed because of a ring that showed two lions licking a young child. Following this, it was decided to rebury the prophet in order to prevent the Jews from stealing his body. He was laid to rest in what was previously the Berdan riverbed, next to what remained of a small stream.

7. Tarsus Waterfall The Berdan River has played an important role in carrying alluvium soil that formed the Cukurova Plain. The silt originates from the Central Taurus Mountain chain (Bolgan Mountains), its southeastern slopes draining into the rivers tributary streams. The Berdan River, which means cold water river, has a beautiful natural feature just four kilometers from the city center. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527 - 565 A.D) changed the course of the riverbed and as a result the river flowed over and through what was then earlier a Roman cemetery. The course of the river was changed due to the frequent flooding of its banks, the result for today is a 15 meter high waterfall which has a seasonal increased water flow as a result of the annual spring thaw of mountain snow.

8.Roman Baths The Roman baths are an important and valuable remnant of the Roman Age. The structure, dating to the same age as 'Donuktas' Temple is made with the same construction methods. Due to the large mass of the structure, kept upright by the large arch, the locals know this structure as the

'underpass' or 'underarch'; it is used as a shortcut to the district behind it.

9.DonuktaĹ&#x; Roman Temple Along with the natural richness of the Tarsus region, the many peoples and religions that have passed through since times immortal is notable. The richness of the cultural mosaic is a result of several religious influences.

One of these is the Roman temple known to the locals as Donuktas, meaning 'lusterless rock'n.

Because of the unsystematic growth of the city, its narrow roads and unlicensed buildings obstruct the inspection of this structure. The northern and eastern buildings in particular block the ability to view it well.

At first glance, it appears to be a massive stone block. To whom the place of worship can be attributed is uncertain, although it is thought that the structure was built some time in the second century A. D.

10.

Old Mosque

This is one of Tarsus's oldest places of worship. Though the date of construction cannot be said with certainty, it is assumed that it was

one of the ones dedicated with the Apostle Paul. Due to the construction style , it can be assumed that the building is from the Middle Ages; around the 11th or 12th century. In 1451 Ramazanoglu Sahabattin Ahmet took over Tarsus from Karamanogulları and began to use the building as a mosque. As mentioned, a minaret was built in the southwest corner.

11.

St. Paul’s Church

This is the only church building in Tarsus that dedicate to his name. It is located in the Cami-i Nur District.The building is constructed in the form of three parallel naves. The time of building is unsure, although it is assumed to have been built in the last quarter of the 18th century.

12.

Kırkkaşık Historical Bazaar It's the only living example of the Tarsus busy trade at the intersection of the trade routes and still used a bazaar. The bazaar was built by İbrahim Bey, the son of the Piri Pasa from

The original entrance was from the western side by way of a porch. The simple style of buildings layout by the architect may have been enhanced by frescos from various painters.

Frescos of Jesus, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, plus one of an eye decorate the central ceiling. The two sections of wall on either side of the front apse is marked by paintings of angels.

Ramazanoğulları, in 1579. In previous periods it was used as a Muslim teological school and soup-kitchen for the poor, and then as bazaar in Republic Period.The Bazaar that know 'White Market' in the past has a rectangular plan. It gets it's name from spoon figures on it's four facades.

It was built with carved stones. There are two barrel vaulted entrances to the building from the eastern and western facades.

It covered by seven small domes and has 21 rooms.

It rented by Tarsus Municipality from Directorate of Waqfs and restored in 2004.

The Bazaar won "Prize of Project" that given by the Association of Historical Cities in 2005. Tarsus Municipality rented the shops of the Bazaar to entrepreneurs to support socio-economic and cultural development of the city. The Bazaar opened it's doors on March 7, 2007. The shops located in the bazaar sell souvenirs specifically for tourist visitors.

Amongst the things on sale can find local handicrafts, ceramic objects, wooden craft products, and various delicious localty produced foods, sweets, and beverages. Beside these, one can find various social and cultural items an view for the public and for sale.

13.

Ulu Mosque

The mosque, also known as Kebir Mosque and Nur Mosque, was up until recent times the hub of Tarsus. The mosque was built in 1579 by Ibrahim Bey, the son of Ramazanoğlu Piri Mehmet Pasha. However, the building is constructed using materials from a large place of worship situated there earlier. East of the mosque are the tombs of the prophets Seth, Lokman and the Abbasid Caliph Ma'mun.

Three naves run parallel to the mosque's 'mihrab', the ritual alcove in the wall facing Mecca. The portico situated beside the north wall of the building encloses a fountain and courtyard, the latter roughly twice the size of the building itself. The courtyard is flanked on the northwestern and northeastern corners by minarets. The northwestern one is built rather different from the other. An inscription indicates it was built in 1363 but was part of another mosque. The Governor, Ziya Pasha, turned the second of these into a clock tower in 1895.

14. New Baths The baths located to the east of the Ulu Mosque were built by Mir el-Hac Torzade in the year 1785. Thought the building itself is still in use today, the western section with its inscription stone has been destroyed. The baths now consist of three sections, namely the hot room, the cold room and changing rooms. A boiler room heats the establishment.

15.

Bac (Justinian) Bridge

This stone bridge is located at the entrance to Tarsus on the Adana-Ankara road.It was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, in order to prevent the city from floodings.This bridge with three arches was restored in 1978, and continued to handle all of the traffic until very recently.

16. Cuisine The local cuisine includes: chargrilled chicken; hummus; şalgam (pickled turnips); tantuni (a sandwich of grilled meats; the tiny pizzas called "fındık lahmacun"; and cezerye (a confection made out of carrots).

The local cuisine is famous, and restaurants specializing on the Mersin Region can be found all over Turkey, and includes specialties such as: Ciğer Kebap, (Liver on Mangal), typically served on lavaş with an assortment of meze at 12 skewers at a time, Tantuni, a hot lavaş wrap consisting of julienned lamb stir-fried on a sac on a hint of cottonseed oil, Bumbar, lamb intestines filled with a mixture of rice, meat and pistachios, that are served either grilled or steamed, Cezerye, a lokum made of sweet carrots, covered in ground pistachios or coconuts, Karsambaç, peeled ice, (or even snow) served with a topping of pekmez or honey, Künefe, a wood-oven baked dessert based on a mixture of cheese and pastry; famous all throughout the Levant, Kerebiç, a shortbread filled with pistachio paste, also famous throughout the Levant, Şalgam suyu, a beverage made of fermented red carrots, very popular in Southern Turkey, that is known somehow to cure hangover.

17. RENEWABLE ENERGY Renewable energies are those that are obtained by virtually inexhaustible natural sources. It is utilizad both sides, inside and outside the cities, and on this beach we can see a place where now they are using it . Can you see it?