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 Tarsus, Mediterranean Turkey

 

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Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, is now a mostly modern industrial and commercial city on Turkey's eastern Mediterranean coast.

Anyone with an interest in biblical history will want to stop. The rest may pass it by.

Why stop? Mostly for memories of St. Paul, who, having been born here, took several celebrated journeys through Anatolia to spread the word about Christianity.

What's to see?

— The Roman-era Cleopatra's Gate, which probably has nothing to do with Cleopatra.

— St. Paul's Well, a hole in the ground which may have nothing to do with St. Paul.

— St. Paul Church which, having been built in the 1800s has virtually nothing to do with the saint.

— Archeological excavations of the Roman-era Old City (Antik Sehir) which are of interest to those who like biblical history.

— The Tarsus Museum housed in a 16th-century medrese (theological seminary).

— The Old Mosque (Eski Cami) may have been built as a church dedicated to St. Paul.

Access to Tarsus (TAHR-sus, pop. 200,000) is easy as it lies between Mersin and Adana, with fast highways and frequent buses, minibuses and trains.

Maps of Tarsus, Mersin & Mediterranean Turkey


Distances & Travel Times

Adana: 37 km (23 miles) E, 35 minutes

Alanya: 352 km (219 miles) W, 6.5 hours

Anamur: 237 km (147 miles) W, 4 hours

Ankara: 467 km (290 miles) NW, 8.5 hours

Antakya: 268 km (167 miles) SE, 4.25 hours

Iskenderun: 200 km (124 miles) SE, 4 hours

Istanbul: 909 km (565 miles) NW, 14.5 hours

Mersin (Içel): 23 km (14 miles) W, 20 minutes

Osmaniye: 107 km (66 miles) E, 1.5 hour

Silifke: 123 km (76 miles) W, 2 hours

Mediterranean Turkey

Southeastern Turkey

Where to Go

Turkey Travel Planner Homepage

 
St Thecla Church, Silifke, Mediterranean Turkey

St. Paul of Tarsus converted St. Thecla to Christianity. Here is the Byzantine church built in her honor in nearby Silifke.