Şar Ruins are located at the northern end of Tufanbeyli district, a few km away from the Kayseri provincial border. This place, called “Cilician Comana”, is the second of the Etiler religious centers, the first of which was “Pontus Comana”. There are works from the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine periods in the ruins.
Gulcan Acar
Most of the works that have survived to this day in the ruins belong to the Roman Period. Among these, the tiered open-air theater attracts particular attention. This theater, located on the slope on the left bank of the stream in the south of the upper neighborhood, is in ruins today. The surviving part is a high wall and some rows rising in the form of stairs. There are cellars under these stairs, which serve both as support and as shelters for wild animals. Some of these are still underground. Another important work here is the church from the Byzantines. The church, whose dome was destroyed by lightning, was built with regularly hewn large stones.
Gulcan Acar
The only surviving part of this church in the place called “Church Quarter” is the 5 meter high wall of the apse. Various geometric motifs and a cross shape can be seen on the stone blocks on the ground belonging to this building.
Gulcan Acar
The most valuable and rare work of Şar from the past is “Alakapı”. The location where it is located is called by this name. This high structure, 6 meters tall and 3 meters wide, made of large marble blocks, is thought to be the gate of the Temple of the Mother Goddess.
Gulcan Acar
Although the temple has been completely destroyed, the facade and side wall stones decorated with floral motifs seen next to this gate give an idea about the original state and dimensions of the building.
Gulcan Acar
In this place, which was called Hierapolis in Roman times, there are other building ruins, reliefs and inscriptions, and various architectural elements such as columns, column capitals, architrave and arches.
Places to visit in Adana
Source: General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums
Source: Adana Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate
