Kanlidivane Ancient City

Kanlidivane Ancient City

Located approximately 50 kilometers away from Mersin, the Kanlıdivane or Kanytella ruins were established around the Kanlıdivane sinkhole, which measures 170 x 200 meters and covers an area of 12,000 square meters, making it one of the largest sinkholes in the region.

Kanlidivane Ancient City

The name Kanlıdivane is believed to be a derivation of the ancient name Canytelis, which means "bloody crazy" in Turkish. Some suggest that the name may be linked to the red color of the soil in the area, while others attribute it to a local legend about criminals who were thrown into the sinkhole during Roman times.

According to historical texts, Kanlıdivane was a part of the Olba dynasty during the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD. During Roman times, it served as a passage to reach the sea. When Antioch was governed by Greece during the Byzantine era, Kanlıdivane became a part of its territory through Eliaussa Sebatste chora. The area was also inhabited by Byzantines during the early Christian period. The city center was filled with graves, while churches were constructed during Late Antiquity (4th through 6th centuries AD).

Both inside and outside the ancient city of Kanlıdivane, interesting structures can be found. The area is surrounded by the remnants of stone pavements, and numerous cisterns were built to catch rainfall before it could seep into the ground. Today, Kanlıdivane is a popular venue for concerts due to its excellent acoustics.