Ancient Street (Roman Road)

Tarsus has a very hot and humid climate in summer. Since the Ancient Street is an open-air and shadeless route, walking during July-August can be tiring. April, May, October, and November are the most suitable periods in terms of both weather conditions and the greenery of nature. In rainy weather, basalt stones become slippery; care must be taken on the ground during this period.

The Ancient Street is located in Tarsus at the intersection of Hilmi Seçkin Boulevard and Alparslan Türkeş Boulevard, right next to the Tarsus Courthouse and Tarsus Museum. There are regular bus and dolmuş services from Mersin city center to Tarsus; the journey takes approximately 30-40 minutes. After arriving in Tarsus, you can take a taxi or walk to the courthouse area. If you come by car, it is possible to find parking around the Tarsus Museum.

You can spend a full day by combining the Ancient Street with other historical sites in Tarsus. The Tarsus Museum is a good starting point; the museum also houses artifacts found on the Roman Road. After visiting the museum, walk the Ancient Street. In the afternoon, you can visit Cleopatra's Gate, the Old Mosque, and the Waterfall. Tarsus's important points are within walking distance or a short drive from each other.

The best-preserved sections of the road clearly show the tight arrangement of basalt stones and the polygonal pattern. In sections passing through maquis shrubs and olive trees, it is possible to capture frames where nature and history appear together. In the early hours, the light is softer and shadows are more distinct; this creates an ideal environment to emphasize the stone texture. Keep in mind that drone use is prohibited as it is a protected archaeological site.

The entire road is not regularly maintained; some sections are buried under soil or are damaged. Pay attention to the ground while walking, especially in wet weather, as the stones can be slippery. There are no facilities, cafes, or toilets nearby; meet your basic needs beforehand. Since the area is an archaeological protected site, it is a legal obligation not to interfere with any stone or surface and not to damage the remains.

There are no food and drink options immediately around the Ancient Street. When you return to Tarsus city center, you can try the city's famous Tarsus kebab, içli köfte (stuffed meatballs), and tahini with molasses. Tarsus bazaar and the small restaurants around it offer local delicacies at affordable prices.

Tarsus was one of the most important cities in the ancient region of Cilicia and served as the administrative center of the region during the Roman Empire. This street, paved in the 1st century AD, was one of the main arteries forming the city's east-west axis; merchants, soldiers, and travelers used this route. Following its accidental discovery in 1993, excavations were expanded, and structural remains from different periods, a mosaic-paved residence, and a colonnaded platform were unearthed around the street. As visitors frequently state, this historical richness of Tarsus is still not sufficiently recognized, and the Ancient Street receives far less attention than its potential.