Tepebag Houses Tepebağ is a historic neighborhood located on a hill within the old town of Adana, offering views of the Seyhan River from the west and situated just a short distance from the Taşköprü. This district features traditional residential architecture shaped by diverse cultural influences. It also holds importance as the original settlement area where Adana’s first inhabitants established their community. Throughout history, Adana has been reconstructed multiple times on the site of the Tepebağ Tumulus. Nevertheless, the city’s architectural growth remained limited until the mid-1800s. This was largely because of the nomadic lifestyles of the Turkmens and Yörüks who lived there, along with frequent flooding from the nearby Seyhan River, which regularly caused damage. Before the late 1800s, Adana's residential buildings mainly consisted of single-story houses made from mud bricks. However, during this period, the city experienced rapid growth fueled by enhancements to the Seyhan River and the rise of the manufacturing sector. This development significantly influenced the city’s architecture, as the simple mud brick homes were replaced by sturdier two- to three-story buildings that still stand today and are recognized as Traditional Adana Houses. The homes in Tepebağ were constructed with a combination of ground floors, mezzanines, and main living floors. The architectural design varies depending on the terrain’s elevation and slope. While many houses were built using brick masonry or timber frameworks, newer structures are generally made of concrete and can reach heights exceeding three stories. The traditional architectural style of the area is well-suited for the hot and humid climate, characterized by thick walls, limited window openings, stone-paved floors, and inner courtyards on the ground level. The upper floors often feature rows of projecting windows designed for the local weather, and the flat earth roofs have eaves that can fold back like a shield to protect against wind. The mansions lining the Seyhan River showcase an elegant and traditional style of residential architecture. These structures can rise up to four stories and feature rooftop terraces that offer a cool breeze during the hottest weather. Unlike the modest hill houses, these mansions occupy larger plots and stand taller. They open directly onto the street without any courtyards, utilizing the entire lot space. The earliest historically registered buildings are known as Row Mansions. Notable examples include the Hacı Yunuszade Mehmet Efendi and Bosnalı Salih Efendi mansions, which are distinguished by their distinctive designs. To the northwest of these row houses, Suphi Paşa's mansion is well-preserved and has functioned as a museum since 1981. This building underwent extensive restoration following the Adana-Ceyhan earthquake of 1998. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply send us a message via Whatsapp, and we will reply as soon as possible.