Tarsus Tarsus, situated along the Berdan River, is an ancient city in Cilicia that has been continuously inhabited for millennia, ranking among the world’s oldest urban settlements. Its prime location as a commercial crossroads has maintained its significance throughout history, even before the rise of Rome. Throughout its long history, Tarsus has witnessed the dominance of numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, who thrived there between approximately 1700 and 1200 BCE. The city was later attacked by the Sea People but regained prominence as an important trading hub under the Assyrian Empire from 700 to 612 BCE. During his campaigns from 333 to 323 BCE, Alexander the Great passed through Tarsus, which ultimately became part of the Roman Empire in 103 CE. Tarsus is renowned for several significant historical moments. As recorded by the Greek philosopher Plutarch, the famous meeting between Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony took place aboard her ship near the city’s harbor entrance. Additionally, Alexander the Great reportedly fell ill after swimming in the Cydnus River within Tarsus. The city is also famously known as the birthplace of Saint Paul, also called Saul of Tarsus. After 64 BCE, Tarsus became the administrative center of the Cilicia Campestris district, a status it kept even after being renamed Cilicia Prima and coming under Byzantine rule. The city continued to serve as an important commercial hub following its incorporation into the Ottoman Empire. The historic center of Tarsus features several remarkable landmarks, including the Church Mosque (Kilise Cami) located in the city’s core. Originally constructed around 300 AD as a church, possibly dedicated to St. Paul, it remained a place of worship for over a thousand years before being converted into a mosque in 1415 when the Turkish emir Ramazanoğlu captured the city from the Byzantines. The Cleopatra’s Gate, dating back to the Roman period, stands as a surviving part of the city’s ancient fortifications. Another notable site is St. Paul’s Well, a historic stone well that attracts numerous visitors. The surrounding narrow streets with traditional houses provide a glimpse of the town’s appearance over the past millennium. The Ashab-ı Kehf Cave, also known as the Seven Sleepers’ Cave, is a religiously significant cave located to the north of Tarsus. If you have any questions or would like more information about Tarsus, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us via Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.