Embedded Files
Biblical References
Biblical References
There are only five references to Tarsus in the New Testament. Three of those references are used to identify Saul/Paul by naming his hometown. In Acts 9:11 Ananias is directed to "...look for a man of Tarsus named Saul", and twice Paul identifies himself by reference to "Tarsus in Cilicia" (Acts 21:39, 22:3)
There are only five references to Tarsus in the New Testament. Three of those references are used to identify Saul/Paul by naming his hometown. In Acts 9:11 Ananias is directed to "...look for a man of Tarsus named Saul", and twice Paul identifies himself by reference to "Tarsus in Cilicia" (Acts 21:39, 22:3)
The other two references to Tarsus relate to Paul being sent to Tarsus for his own safety (Acts 9:30) and Barnabas going to Tarsus to bring Paul back to Syrian Antioch to help teach new followers of Jesus, the first believers to be described as "Christians". (Acts 11:25)
The other two references to Tarsus relate to Paul being sent to Tarsus for his own safety (Acts 9:30) and Barnabas going to Tarsus to bring Paul back to Syrian Antioch to help teach new followers of Jesus, the first believers to be described as "Christians". (Acts 11:25)
Visiting the Site
Visiting the Site
I was able to visit Tarsus in March 2024. While serving in The Salvation Army's Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory, my wife and I were required to attend an event in London. What better way to spend some unused leave than to make a side trip to Tarsus.
Tarsus is in south central Türkiye, approximately 500km east of Attalia and 230km, by road, west of Syrian Antioch. We chose to fly into Istanbul and spend a few days in the old city, mainly checking our Roman period sites, before flying to Adana.
Many of the Roman sites of Tarsus are accessible simply by walking around the centre of the old city, but we chose to pick up a rental car in Adana, in order to visit some sites outside the city and up into the Taurus mountains.
Click here for a Google Earth view of Tarsus.
Photos at left:
Cleopatra's Gate
Roman Road, adjacent to Tarsus Museum
St Paul's Well
Roman Baths
Roman bridge arches below the 'Daniel Mosque'
St Paul's Church / Memorial Museum
Roman Road, towards the Taurus Mountains.
Cleopatra's Gate
Cleopatra's Gate
...stood as one of the entryways, through the defensive walls, into the city of Tarsus. It now stands alone in a roundabout with a busy flow of traffic either side. It was at Tarsus, of course, that Cleopatra VII allied herself with Mark Anthony, both romantically and militarily. That would all come to a messy end after the Battle of Actium (31BC), the decisive battle that would see Octavian go on to become Caesar Augustus.
It is likely, however, that this structure dates from a period later than Antony and Cleopatra and later, even, than the apostle Paul!
Roman Road and Tarsus Museum
Roman Road and Tarsus Museum
Adjacent to the Tarsus Museum is an excavated area which includes a very well preserved section of Roman road.
The museum, itself, is well worth a visit.
St Paul's Well
St Paul's Well
Of course there is no evidence that Paul ever used this well. As an educated Roman citizen it is extremely unlikely Paul ever drew water from this well - that would probably be the work of a female servant.
The Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture claims that it was a pilgrimage site in antiquity, and it has been added to the tentative list of World Heritage sites in Türkiye.
Roman Baths
Roman Baths
The remains of the Roman Baths are just off Adana Bulvarı, a main artery through the old city.
The Şahmaran Hamamı (Turkish bath house, tagged on the map) has a sign outside its western entrance saying it was built on some of the foundations of the Roman Baths. That's about 100m from the farthest point of the visible remains, so the original building must have covered a significant area!
Roman Bridge Arches
Roman Bridge Arches
The "Daniel Mosque" - claimed to house the tomb of the prophet Daniel. Excavated within the mosque is an exposed portion of a 1st century Roman bridge that once spanned the Cydnus River, which flowed through the middle of town in Paul's day. The river would later be diverted to protect the city from seasonal floods, and eventually the bridge was lost to history. It was only rediscovered when the mosque underwent renovation in 2002.
St Paul's Church (Memorial Museum)
St Paul's Church (Memorial Museum)
The St Paul's Church / Memorial Museum is the largest monument in honour of St Paul in Tarsus. While there may have been more in antiquity, this is the only remaining church dedicated to St Paul and it was only constructed in 1862. It is very sparsely decorated inside, and the only image of Paul is a photograph of a mosaic that must be located somewhere else!
As a memorial to St Paul, I found it disappointingly underwhelming!
Roman Road
Roman Road
Approximately 20km north of Tarsus there is an extensive section of Roman Road. A section of just over 1km runs northwest then north from a 2nd century arch standing next to the modern road.
Approximately 20km north of Tarsus there is an extensive section of Roman Road. A section of just over 1km runs northwest then north from a 2nd century arch standing next to the modern road.
Parts of the Roman road are adjacent to a farm road. It crosses the farm road and seems to come to an end when it crosses a second time. However, a further 500m along the farm road there is another section of the Roman road, a further 500m.
Parts of the Roman road are adjacent to a farm road. It crosses the farm road and seems to come to an end when it crosses a second time. However, a further 500m along the farm road there is another section of the Roman road, a further 500m.
A little further, but still walkable...
A little further, but still walkable...
Justinian Bridge - When the Cydnus River was diverted it was redirected east of the city. This bridge spanned the ne flow. Today it sits below the modern road.
Donuktaş - Once believed to be a 2nd century BC temple site, later research has dated this massive edifice to the 1st century, and possibly associated with emperor worship in the 2nd century.
Tarsus Waterfalls - a worthwhile side trip but likely to be in its best form after a decent snow melt from the Taurus Mountains.
Previous: Syrian Antioch Next: Thessalonica
Return to the Locations list.
Google Sites
Report abuse