Şar Ancient City

Şar Ancient City is the modern name for the ancient city known in antiquity as Comana or Komana, one of the important settlement centers of the Cilicia region. The area served as a sacred religious center during the Hittite period; in subsequent centuries, Roman and Byzantine civilizations also left lasting traces on these lands. This area, where different civilizations are layered one upon another, remains one of Adana's most remote and least explored archaeological sites.

The ancient city, located within the borders of Şar Neighborhood, is largely intertwined with nature today. Some of the ruins are still found in areas surrounded by the local population's agricultural and livestock activities. While this poses a serious challenge for the preservation of the historical fabric, it offers visitors a truly untouched archaeological site experience.

The most suitable times to visit Şar Ancient City are the spring and autumn months. In the spring period, from April to June, the surrounding nature turns green, temperatures are ideal for walking, and roads are generally passable. Similar conditions apply in September and October; moreover, visitor density is almost zero during this period.

In the summer months, the region becomes quite hot and dry; especially during midday, staying outdoors for long periods can be tiring. In winter, due to Tufanbeyli's high altitude, roads can occasionally be closed by snow and ice, making access difficult. It is important to check local weather and road conditions in advance when planning your visit.

Reaching Şar Ancient City is the most challenging but also the most exciting part of the visit. To get to the ancient city, which is approximately 196 km away from Adana city center, you first need to reach Tufanbeyli district center. There are regular bus services from Adana to Tufanbeyli.

From Tufanbeyli to Şar Neighborhood, you need to travel approximately 15 km further. In this last section, the road becomes unpaved and bumpy, so using a vehicle with high ground clearance will be a great convenience. Since it is quite difficult to cover this last distance by public transport, visitors wishing to visit the ancient city are advised to come by private car or consider renting a car in Tufanbeyli. You can search for Şar Mahallesi or Kızıltepe Caddesi in navigation apps.

Şar Ancient City offers an extremely rich area for photography enthusiasts. Kızıl Kale (Red Castle) stands out as the most impressive structure of the ancient city; breathtaking shots can be obtained at different angles of sunlight, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when the light is softest, with the surrounding mountainous landscape.

The Byzantine church ruins built to the northeast create a dramatic atmosphere with their large ashlar blocks; macro photography for the details of this structure also yields very fruitful results. The surrounding mountain silhouettes and valleys provide an excellent backdrop for panoramic photos with wide-angle lenses. Documenting the daily life of the local people intertwined with history during your visit also offers a valuable opportunity to reflect the unique spirit of the area.

Paying attention to some practical points before going to Şar Ancient City will make your visit much more enjoyable. First of all, since the area is largely open and shadeless, it is strongly recommended to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. The ground is uneven and stony; choose comfortable walking shoes or boots.

There are no infrastructure services such as a cafe, buffet, or toilet at the ancient city. You need to bring enough food and drink with you. The healthiest approach would be to get your necessities from Tufanbeyli district center before setting off. Also, since the signal may be weak in the area, downloading an offline map in advance stands out as a practical precaution. Not damaging historical remains and not moving stones or objects in the area is of great importance to pass on this heritage to future generations.

To explore Şar Ancient City most efficiently, we recommend setting off early in the morning. If you are departing from Adana, you can stay overnight in Tufanbeyli and reach the ancient city refreshed the next morning.

Upon arrival, first visit Kızıl Kale (Red Castle); it will be much easier to grasp the general layout of the ancient city from around the castle. Then head towards the church ruins in the northeast and examine this structure built with large ashlar blocks up close. Explore the area by following the traces of Roman period structures. In the final part of your visit, take time to discover the surrounding natural landscape and take panoramic photos. 2 to 4 hours will be sufficient to complete this entire route at a comfortable pace.

Şar Ancient City alone requires a half-day visit; however, considering the round trip distance from Adana, the entire day should be allocated for this route. Instead of planning a special trip from Adana just for Şar, it would be much more efficient to organize a multi-day tour in the region.

Although accommodation options in Tufanbeyli and its surroundings are quite limited, there are small guesthouses in the district center. If you include Şar in a 2–3 day Adana tour that combines it with other historical and cultural points of Adana, you will have a more advantageous travel experience in terms of both time and transportation.