Adana: Difference between revisions
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Adana was probably founded in 63 BC by the [[Roman Republic|Roman]] statesman [[Pompey the Great]]. Adana is the only city, whose name has remained the same for centuries in the world. For several centuries thereafter it was a way station on a Roman military road leading to the East. The city declined in importance after the fall of the Roman Empire in AD[[476]] but was rebuilt in the 8th century by [[Harun al-Rashid]], [[caliph]] of [[Baghdad]]. Adana was held by [[Egypt]] from [[1832]] to [[1840]], when it was 'restored' to Turkish rule. |
Adana was probably founded in 63 BC by the [[Roman Republic|Roman]] statesman [[Pompey the Great]]. Adana is the only city, whose name has remained the same for centuries in the world. For several centuries thereafter it was a way station on a Roman military road leading to the East. The city declined in importance after the fall of the Roman Empire in AD[[476]] but was rebuilt in the 8th century by [[Harun al-Rashid]], [[caliph]] of [[Baghdad]]. Adana was held by [[Egypt]] from [[1832]] to [[1840]], when it was 'restored' to Turkish rule. |
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In 1909 it was the scene of what has become known as the 'Adana massacre'. Official estimates advance a conservative number of 15,000 killed, whilst less biased sources suggest anything from 20,000 to 30,000 Armenians were killed. |
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== Places to visit == |
== Places to visit == |
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Revision as of 01:00, 14 March 2006
Adana is the fourth largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Adana Province. It has a population of 1 130 710 (2000). NATO's Incirlik Air Base is located 12 km east of Adana.
One of the large towns of Asia Minor, about nineteen miles from the sea, Adana derives its importance from its situation as the gateway to the Cilician plain, that great flat stretch of fertile land, possibly the most productive in this part of the world, (on east side of Taurus Mountains). In Adana all the houses are flat-topped and the roofs serve as the bedrooms for the inhabitants during the hot summers. Adana was more important for its agriculture while Tarsus was the metropolis of the area. Several types of fruit are native to this area, the apricot being an example.
From Adana, crossing the Cilician plain going west, the road from Tarsus enters the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. With every foot of ascent the coolness increases, reaching an altitude of nearly 4000 feet. Then through the famous Cilician Gates, that rocky pass through which armies have coursed since history's dawn, and the caravan has arrived on the Anatolian plain.
Adana is the marketing and distribution center for an agricultural region in which cotton, wheat, barley, grapes, citrus fruits, olives, and tobacco are produced. The chief industries in the city are textile manufacturing, tanning, and the processing of wool and various foods. It is also famous for its kebab and turnip juice.
History
Adana was first settled by the Hittites during the Egyptian eighteenth dynasty. It is the location of Antiochia in Cilicia – also known as Antiochia ad Sarum ("Antiochia on the Sarus") – of Hellenistic foundation in the region then known as Cilicia Campestris. [[1]]
Adana, a modern-day city located on the right bank of the Seyhan River in the Cilician plain, was a caravan stop, river crossing, and frontier outpost protecting Asia Minor from incursions from Syria. (Tarsus was closer to the Cilician Gate.) The history of Adana is mixed with that of Tarsus; they seem often to be the same city, moving as the river changed position and the name changing over time. Adana was of little importance in ancient history; Tarsus, Ayas/Issus (today Yumurtalik), and Kozan (formerly Sis) have usually been the major population and administrative centers, especially during the Kingdom of Lesser Armenia.
Adana was probably founded in 63 BC by the Roman statesman Pompey the Great. Adana is the only city, whose name has remained the same for centuries in the world. For several centuries thereafter it was a way station on a Roman military road leading to the East. The city declined in importance after the fall of the Roman Empire in AD476 but was rebuilt in the 8th century by Harun al-Rashid, caliph of Baghdad. Adana was held by Egypt from 1832 to 1840, when it was 'restored' to Turkish rule.
Places to visit
Local points of interest include a great stone bridge, built in part during the reign (6th century) of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, and the ruins of a castle dating from 782. Stone Bridge is the oldest bridge in the world,which is still being used.
Buildings and monuments
- Stone Bridge
- Seyhan Dam
- Adana Ulu Camii
- New Mosque
- Butter mosque
- Adana Ataturk museum
- Eski Camii
- Clock Tower
- Adana Museum
- Adana Etnography Museum
- Adana Archeological Museum
- Adana Atatürk Museum
- Misis Mosaic Museum
Historical Sites and Ruins
- Yumurtalık Ruins - Yumurtalık
- Anavarza Ruins - Kazan/Dilekkaya
- Şar Ruins - Tufanbeyli/Şar
- Mağarsus Ruins - Karataş
- Karatepe - Aslantaş (Domuztepe-Pınarözü) - Kadirli/Düziçi
Festivals
- Karakucak Wrestling Festival - Kadirli (25-26 May)
- Altın Koza (Golden Cocoon) Film Festival - Provincial Center (14-25 September)
- İmamoğlu Peach Festival - İmamoğlu (In June)
- Kızıldağ Karakucak Wrestling Festival - Karaisalı
- Cherry Festival - Saimbeyli (20-22 June)
Education
- Cukurova University - Çukurova Üniversitesi
- Cag University - Çağ Üniversitesi