Anemurium - Ancient Roman Settlement in Province Isaura

Monday, 09 December 2013 18:32
Written by Portal Editor

Anemurium - After a breathtaking two-hour drive from Alanya along the coastal road, past magnificent bays and secluded beaches, we came across Anamur, a corner of Turkey still largely untouched by tourism.

With its tranquil, natural beauty, clean beaches, ancient buildings just outside, and friendly residents, the city of Anamur is a little-known place on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, about 120 kilometres southeast of Alanya.

Our excursion primarily took us to Anemurium, the ancient birthplace of the modern city of Anamur.

The name Anamur originally comes from the Etruscan-Luwian language.

"Annemura" loosely translates as "place of the holy mother."

Later, when the city belonged to ancient Cilicia, the name was changed to Anemurium.

Excavations conducted in the acropolis of the ancient city show that the region was considered a sacred place of Pamphylia, Isaura, and Cilicia.

From the 6th century BC, Anamur expanded downwards from the acropolis hill and developed into a trading and port city.

Anemurium - The Romans built baths, theatre, basilica, and agora

Later, Anamur fell under the rule of the Seleucids, the Commagene, and then into the hands of corsairs and pirates, who at that time made the entire region unsafe.

As early as the first century BC, the city came under Roman rule, was subsequently equipped with the functional buildings required of Roman cities and assigned to the province of Isaura.

The name Anemurium originates from this period.

Today, the walled acropolis stands 300 meters above the headland.

Excavations have uncovered the ruins of a theatre, bath, basilica, colonnaded street, and aqueduct. Directly by the sea is a square assembly building with nine rows of seats, as well as the ruins of a church with a square floor plan, which are still remarkably well preserved.

The church features a magnificent, colourful floor mosaic, and directly adjacent are the ruins of a Roman bath. Also of interest from a structural perspective are the ruins of the two- or three-story tombs, which almost resemble houses.

Ancient mosaics as the site of traditional Sunday barbecues

For the interested visitor, the way the local Turks treat these historic mosaics and ancient buildings is absolutely astonishing. Mosaics that are 2,000 years old are exposed to the forces of nature without any protection.

Protected only by a barrier that's almost always open and still completely undeveloped for tourism, the area surrounding this ancient city of Anemurium is ideal for Sunday strolls and the accompanying barbecues and grills.

Only slowly do you realize what treasures actually lie here.

This behaviour, too, is a matter of education and appreciation of the local population. How could they possibly know better if no one cares?

For any culturally interested traveller to Turkey, Anamur is an absolutely worthwhile destination. Please also consider a visit to the fortress of Anamur, Mamure Kalesi, about 7 kilometres further south, where Barbarossa himself stopped during his crusade.

Please also read:

On the beaches of Alanya

The ancient city of Leartes