TOUR CODE : MER - 01 PORT : MERSIN TOUR DESTINATION : UZUNCABURC, HEAVEN AND HELL, KORYKOS, KANNYTELIS TRANSPORTATION : BY A/C CAR OR MINIBUS DURATION OF TOUR : APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS MEAL : AT A SEA SIDE RESTAURANT

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

Leave the port of Mersin, the Industry city of Mediterranean and drive to the direction of Uzuncaburc, which contains the ruins of of the old Olba Diocaisareia, numbered among the best preserved ancient sites in Turkey and mostly go back to the 2nd BC. It was from here, that the Dynasty of Teucrid Priests ruled Western Cilicia until Vespasians integrated the area into the Roman Province of Cilicia. You will see the Temple of Zeus-Olbius. This large building was probably erected under Seleukos I Nikator in the eraly 3rd century BC. It was converted into a church in Christian times by removing the cella (formerly dedicated to Zeus, the father of the Gods), building walls between the surrounding columns, and addidng an apse. Further you will see the theatre, the Temple of Tyche with Coryntian capitals and the Town Gate. On the way back you will make a short stop to Heaven and Hell, reputed that you can hear the Stream of Paradise flowing by. Lunch will be taken at a sea side restaurant and then proceed to the ruins of Korykos, which was famous for the cultivation of saffron, and the present name probably comes from the Greek "krokos", the word for saffron. The last visit is Kanlidivane, the ancient Kannytelis, of which ruins of various buildings including two basilicas and a necropolis have survived. Return to the port of Mersin.