Ancient Tarsus
The city of Tarsus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city has a very rich history including being the birthplace of the New Testament's Apostle Paul, and the meeting place of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. Both Xerxes and Alexander the Great traveled through the city. The city was located on a major trade route in ancient times, which is the reason that the Roman road leads to the city.
Roman Road
The Roman road lies several kilometers north of the city, and is only marked by a small brown sign pointing up the side of a mountain that reads Roman Yolu, or Roman Road. Amazingly, the road lies unprotected at the top of the mountain above a village; and is only accessed by a cobblestone, and dirt road that winds through the village and on up the mountainside. A beautiful Roman Arch stands at the entrance to the road, and the road stretches out from the arch for about the next seven kilometers.
The road is made from white stones that could be seen at night. A stone boarder still lines most stretches of the road. Although once smooth, some of the stones have holes that have eroded in them due to chemical reactions with rain water. The first few meters from the arch the road is in disrepair, but as it winds across the mountaintop it becomes more uniform and in amazingly good shape. Along the road lie limestone boulders that completely cover the earth except where they have been removed by locals over the years, and the cleared areas are sometimes covered with wheat. It is remarkable that with no heavy equipment, a smooth road could have been laid among these large boulders. The road stands as a testimony to the ingenuity of the Romans, and is also a reminder of the use of slaves, and captives of war to forge roads across the vast empire.
Depending upon the time of year that one visits, the rocks can be covered with blooming flowers and vines. Especially in the spring, this is a breathtaking sight. Almost any trip to the road will allow one to see shepherds herding flocks of sheep or goats in the open fields surrounding the road. A sheep fold made of rocks can be seen along the road, as well as, a watering trough where the sheep are brought to water. During some months, shepherds are living in tents along the road under a few scattered trees.
On a clear day, the road offers a magnificent view of Tarsus and the Cilician plain as it stretches out to the Mediterranean Sea. The sheer beauty and magnificence of this place makes it well worth the trip off the beaten tourist path to explore the natural beauty of these ancient ruins.
Mary Lynn Varner - My husband and I have lived in Turkey for the past five years and have traveled extensively in this remarkable country writing about ...
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