{"id":57507,"date":"2025-12-17T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/tarsus-the-city-where-legends-meet-culinary-delights\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T16:27:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:27:24","slug":"tarsus-legends-and-culinary-delights-come-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/tarsus-legends-and-culinary-delights-come-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Tarsus: The city where legends meet culinary delights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The origins of the name Tarsus and its founding legends<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Old Mosque located in the center of Tarsus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tarsus is steeped in countless legends and mythological stories about its origins, tales passed down through generations for centuries. Ancient sources provide many captivating accounts. In one Greek myth, the winged horse Pegasus and the hero Bellerophon get lost across the vast Cilician plain of \u00c7ukurova. When they reach what is now Tarsus, Pegasus injures his hoof, and the city is said to have gotten its Greek name \u201cTarsos,\u201d meaning \u201csole of the foot.\u201d Another tradition links the city\u2019s name to \u201ctersein,\u201d a verb meaning \u201cto dry,\u201d because it was believed to be the first place where land emerged after Noah\u2019s floodwaters receded. Different myths attribute the city\u2019s founding to various figures. The renowned geographer Strabo notes that a group from Argos, led by Triptolemus, the son of the agricultural goddess Demeter, settled in the plain and founded the city of Tarsus.\u00a0Of course, most of these tales lean more toward legend than fact, yet they reveal how ancient the settlement really is. The city appears as Tar\u015fa in Hittite tablets and as Tarzi or Tarsis in Assyrian records from the ninth century BCE. Taken together, these clues suggest that the name Tarsus has been used for thousands of years, possibly dating back to an ancient deity such as the Hittite storm god Tarhun or Tarku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The historical heritage and legends of Tarsus<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A view of St. Paul Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you walk through the streets of Tarsus, you feel history come alive with every step. The city\u2019s most notable landmark, the Gate of Cleopatra, is the only remaining gateway from the ancient city walls and is named after the legendary Egyptian queen. Legend has it that after Caesar\u2019s death, Rome\u2019s powerful general Mark Antony invited Cleopatra to Tarsus in 41 BCE. She arrived by ship and entered the city through this Sea Gate in a grand ceremony\u2014an event that sparked one of history\u2019s most famous romances. Today, the Gate of Cleopatra stands as a monument to Tarsus\u2019s rich history, with its arches rising on both sides as if holding centuries in place. Nearby, remnants of columned structures and ancient roads preserve the splendor of the Roman era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of those ancient roads, the Roman Road just outside the city center deserves special mention. Lying along the foothills near Sa\u011fl\u0131kl\u0131 Village, this stone-paved route and its adjacent triumphal arch were built in the 1st century and remained in use until the 4th. Its roughly three-meter width suggests how busy it must have been back then. Walking here today, surrounded by nature and stepping directly on these old stones, provides a rare experience that takes you back across thousands of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarsus holds a special place not only in local history but also in the traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Saint Paul, known in the Bible as \u201cSaul of Tarsus,\u201d was born here and played a defining role in the early development of Christianity. The Saint Paul Memorial Museum, dedicated to him, is a historic church built in the late 12th century that once served as an important gathering place for the Christian community. Just a few steps away is the Well of Saint Paul, believed to be located in the garden of the house where he lived. For centuries, pilgrims traveling from distant lands paused here on their way to Jerusalem, drinking from the well\u2019s water in hopes of healing. Today, Saint Paul\u2019s Church and the Well, along with the surrounding historic quarter, are listed on UNESCO\u2019s Tentative World Heritage List, highlighting once again the significance Tarsus holds in the broader story of humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G\u00f6zl\u00fckule Mound, located in the city center, reveal traces of continuous settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. The monumental ruins known locally as Donukta\u015f, believed to be part of one of the biggest temples of the ancient world, highlight the city\u2019s former importance. Construction of the Donukta\u015f Temple started during the reign of Roman emperor Hadrian, but it was never finished. It measures about 130 meters long and 60 meters wide, once surrounded by walls eight meters high, with huge columns rising above. Although its exact purpose is uncertain, scholars think it may have been dedicated either to Sandon, the chief deity of Tarsus, or to the Roman emperors. Over the years, it was mistakenly thought to be the tomb of the Assyrian king Sardanapalus and was damaged by misguided interventions in the nineteenth century. Archaeological excavations in the twentieth century confirmed it was, in fact, a Roman temple. Today, this impressive ruin in Tekke Quarter still stands far from the recognition it deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excavations throughout the city center have also uncovered intricate mosaics that reflect Tarsus\u2019s refined artistic heritage. A recently discovered third-century mosaic floor depicting Orpheus and Ganymede has captivated everyone who has seen it. Although these and similar pieces are now displayed in modern museums, countless layers of history still remain buried beneath the streets of Tarsus. The newly opened Tarsus Museum showcases some of the most remarkable pieces of this legacy and brings them into the spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The cultural riches of Tarsus<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Tarsus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As you make your way through Tarsus, you don\u2019t just see historic monuments; you experience a rich cultural atmosphere settling around you. The traditional Tarsus houses in the K\u0131z\u0131lmurat Quarter are among the best examples of the city\u2019s daily life in past centuries. Built with stone bases, protruding bay windows, and wooden-framed openings, these homes combine Ottoman and early Republican architectural styles. Out of about 300 registered historic houses, some have been carefully restored and reintegrated into the texture of the streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of cultural and religious diversity, Tarsus is very much a mosaic. Within just a few steps, you can see mosques, churches, and even an old synagogue standing side by side. At the city\u2019s center rises the Grand Mosque, an imposing structure built in the sixteenth century during the Ramazano\u011fullar\u0131 Principality. With its courtyard fountain, cut-stone columns, and wooden pulpit, it stands as a graceful example of Turkish-Islamic architecture. Next to it sits the Makam-\u0131 Danyal Mosque, one of Tarsus\u2019s most intriguing sites. According to tradition, the Prophet Daniel came to Tarsus during a famine, brought the community back to abundance, and was buried here after his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarsus\u2019s cultural richness isn\u2019t limited to its physical landmarks; the legends passed down and the traditions kept alive also shape the city’s spirit. One of the stories most closely associated with Tarsus is the Legend of \u015eahmeran. This mythical being, half serpent and half woman, is said in local lore to have lived in Tarsus and to have been killed in a bathhouse there. The \u015eahmeran Bath in the city center still stands as a historic site linked to that story. As you walk through Tarsus, you\u2019ll notice traces of the legend everywhere: a \u015eahmeran figure painted on a wall or a keepsake with her image picked up from the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city\u2019s markets and bazaars are just as vital to this cultural fabric. Restored with care, the K\u0131rkka\u015f\u0131k Inn is named after a legend about forty silver spoons that once went missing there. Today, it\u2019s a great stop for handcrafted copperware, spices, and local gifts. Not far away, Siptilli Bazaar tells a different story. Every shop in this small market is run by a woman entrepreneur. As you walk through Siptilli, you can explore Tarsus\u2019s traditional products while enjoying the lively conversations of the women who keep the place vibrant. At these stalls, you might find handwoven local rugs, delicate needle-lace linens, or jars of freshly made preserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city also features important sites for faith-based travel. About twelve kilometers north of Tarsus, at the base of a mountain, lies the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, known locally as Eshab-\u0131 Kehf. It is considered one of the locations where the legend of the Seven Sleepers, shared by both Islamic and Christian traditions, is said to have taken place. On weekends, locals come here to picnic and experience the spiritual atmosphere, while visitors from abroad often stop by to see the cave inspired by the ancient story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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