A journey of visual and intellectual discoveries

The second day of our familiarisation tour afforded us “a journey of visual and intellectual discoveries,” a fulfilled promise of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism to its visitors.First destination is Tarsus, a land popular for its historical places of worship and pilgrimage. It is also the biggest district of the tourism centre of Mersin in Turkey’s Mediterranean region.The city features old and traditional architecture and structures such as the Cleopatra Gate, Tarsus Inscription, Republic Square, Ancient Road, and museums, among others.The St Paul’s Well and ruins of his house (excavated in 1995), are located in the courtyard of an old building where it is widely believed the apostle had lived. He was born during the reign of Emperor August around 5-10 AD. Our tour guide Gulcan Akdogan says this historical place has been attracting many tourists from various countries with different backgrounds and religions.Archaeological excavations at the 30-metre deep well, named after St Paul, revealed signs of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman culture in the area, now a well-visited site of pilgrimage.Traditional Tarsus houses, inspired by Armenian and Ottoman designs, also serve as among the major attractions in the area. These houses are one of the rare types of traditional residence in Cukurova that have been preserved in large numbers.TRADITIONAL: Old Tarsus houses, inspired by Armenian and Ottoman designs, are one of the rare types of traditional residence in Cukurova. Photo by JR DumlaoThe remaining structures were converted to suit modernity, building kitchens, toilets, and bathrooms, among others.“The most striking thing about traditional Tarsus houses is the side doors; although the inner sides are plain, the outer faces of the entrances are richly decorated with geometrical and floral designs inspired by nature,” the Ministry of Culture and Tourism says.Tarsus is also known as a meeting place of “historical figures” such as Prophet Daniel, St Paul, Bilal-i-Habesi – the muezzin of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and philosophers: Aristotle, Cicero, Athenodoros Cananites.RUINS: The ruins of St Paultarget="_blank"'>