Anavarza (Anazarbus) – Kozan, Adana
Anavarza is one of the largest and most important metropolises of the region, established at the foot of a massive rock mass rising in the Cilician Plain. During the Roman Empire, it took the title of capital of Cilicia from Tarsus. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
The city's most magnificent structure is the Anavarza Castle, built on the rock mass 200 meters above the plain. It also boasts one of the largest stadiums in Anatolia and a monumental triumphal arch.
Highlights:
- Triumphal Arch (Ala Kapı): A monumental three-arched entrance gate dating to the 3rd century AD.
- Colonnaded Street: With a width of 34 meters, it is one of the widest streets of the ancient world.
- Stadium and Theatre: Large entertainment structures carved into the rock.
- Dioscorides: Hometown of the famous physician Dioscorides, considered the father of pharmacology.
Sources
- UNESCO Tentative List – Ancient City of Anazarbos
- Wikipedia – Anazarbus
- Vikipedi – Anavarza