ADANA 2000 ONLINE / Turkey

Set in the heart of the Çukurova (CILICIAN) Plain and founded over the delta of the Seyhan and Ceyhan Rivers, Turkey' s fourth largest city, ADANA is the center of the rich agricultural region and thriving industry. The Taşköprü ( Stone Bridge ) by Hadrian and repaired by Justinian spans the River Seyhan which besects the town ; only 14 of the bridge' s original 21 arches still stand. Of interest in the city are 16th century Ulu Mosque, the Eski Mosque, the Hasan Ağa Mosque, the 19th century Clock Tower and the old covered bazaar.

Its historical records go back to 6000 B.C. during the time of antiquity, ADANA and the region around it was called CILICIA, it became the homeland, in turn, for Phonicians, Assyrians, Hittites, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Abbasies, Seljuks and Ottomans. That' s why ADANA has been called cradle of civilizations. The city' s three museums, the Archaeologicial Museum, which displays locally excavated Hittite and Roman remains, the charming Ethnographical Museum and the Atatürk Culture Museum should be included in a tour of the city. ADANA was invaded by the French forces in 1918, and won the independence fight by the 5 th. of January in 1922 and became a fast developing important town center. Leaning against the Taurus Mountains in the north, ADANA reaches the the Mediterranean in the South.

Together with the natural beauty of the coasts of Yumurtalık and Karataş, and the variety of animal species and the thermal water springs and the plantation coverage over the Taurus Mountains, ADANA is also a central attraction for cultural, historical, and religious tourism with a large number of museums, baths, inns and churches, located in the area, the having large volumes of rapidly Göksu River flowing water and a winding course in the Feke area is a center for rafting tourism. The thermal springs of Acısu in Aladağ, Tahtalıköy and Kokarpınar in Ceyhan and Alihocalı and Kurttepe that are close to the ADANA city center have the potential of thermal tourism. After a day of sightseeing you can sample ADANA kebab, a sensational spicy tube of ground meat. Local beverages include şalgam, a drink made from dark turnips and şıra, a type of grape juice.

The Seyhan Dam and Lake north of the city have shady walks and quaint tea gardens and restaurants creating a cool place to escape the heat. At sunset, look back toward the city to the peaceful, winding ruby river lined with twinkling lights. The nearest beaches with accommodation facilities are at Yumurtalık where an ancient harbor castle dominates the picturesque fisherman' s wharf and at Karataş. Fishermen enjoy the scene, and catch, at Çamlık Park.

Off the road from ADANA to İskenderun near Yakapınar, lies Misis, a city which derived its wealth from its position on the Silk Route. There are several Roman ruins at the site, including a beautiful fourth century mosaic depicting Noah' s Ark and animals. Further along the road are the impressive ruins of the Yılankale Castle atop a rocky peak that dominates the Ceyhan River. South of Yılankale in the Sirkeli region a somewhat weathered Hittite relief marks Muvattalish' s stop here on his way to Egypt. North of Ceyhan lies the village of Dilekkaya, the ancient Anavarza, where you can view the ruins of a Roman - Byzantine city. The small museum at the site has two particularly fine mosaics from Roman baths.

ADANA is the big tourism center with its high potential matching the standart of " four seasons and twelve months of tourism with variety " that has been adopted by us as a country wide policy.

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