Kizkalesi - Heaven & Hell - Adamkayalar - Uzuncaburc - Kanli Divane

Uzuncaburc

Uzuncaburç is the name of the Turkish village situated among the remains of the ancient roman city of Diocaesarea. Diocaesaria used to be the cult centre of the residential settlement of Olba (4 km to the east). The ancient name can be found on an inscription in the city gate.

Olba and the cult centre have been established under Hellenistic rule. Under Roman rule though the cult centre gained much more importance and it was separated from city of Olba and given the name of Diocaesarea. Instead of an cult centre it turned into a real city. Theatre, aqueduct, bathhouses, fountains and a parade gate were being build.

The ruins in Diocaesarea show the great architectual skills of the past. Often decorations were derived from the surrounding flora. This is also the case with the colums of the parade gate. The capitals of the limestone colums are decorated with acanthus.

Acanthus is growing in overflow in the area. The villagers brew their coffee from it, which ofcourse you might like to try too.

Most impressive is the Zeus temple. It must have been built by Selkos I Nikator (General of Alexander the Great) in 295 BC as has been supposed by one of the inscriptions. The temple of Zeus Olbios is the oldest peripteral temple in Asia Minor, with colllums in the early Corinthian style. Dat means they have fluted colums and decorated capitals.

Tour to Uzuncaburç