photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Carol 202 | profile | all galleries >> World Travel >> Turkey from 2007 to 2009 >> Mersin Area >> Kanlidvane and Kiz Kalesi: Oct 2007 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Kanlidvane and Kiz Kalesi: Oct 2007

On our many trips to Kizkalesi to go diving, we passed a brown tourist sign pointing to "Kanlidivane". The closest translation I came up with was "Bloody Sofa". We finally had a chance to explore Kanlidivane and I did a little research on the meaning of the name and the history. The site is also called the ancient city of Kanytelis (Canytelis). The modern name of Kanlıdivane literally means blood stained place of madness. At the centre of the site is an enormous 60 m deep canyon with red-coloured walls and legend says criminals were once thrown to their deaths into the huge pit. The deep chasm formed the core of the ancient city of Kanytelis. Canytelis originally was part of the ancient kingdom of Olbia and the chasm was regarded as a sacred place reserved to the cult of Zeus Olbios. The first settlement began in the holy chasm for many hundred years before Christ and then gradually extended in all directions during the following centuries. Kanytelis thrived through Byzantine times as is indicated by the presence of several Byzantine churches and inscriptions. The extensive necropolis has many Roman tombs built in the form miniature temples.
Keep neat our environment
"Keep neat our environment"		 If you look closely, you can see a cross carved into the top of the capitol.
If you look closely, you can see a cross carved into the top of the capitol.		 Bob in front of a ruined Byzantine church.
Bob in front of a ruined Byzantine church.		 More ruins of a chruch.
More ruins of a chruch.
Another cross
Another cross		 More remains of the church above.
More remains of the church above.		 This was an amazing water cistern. There were several on site, plus signs of a covered canal system.
This was an amazing water cistern. There were several on site, plus signs of a covered canal system.		 A view of the Roman road
A view of the Roman road
This is looking at the pit in the opposite direction. Below is a carving, and above is my car.
This is looking at the pit in the opposite direction. Below is a carving, and above is my car.		 This is the least ruined of the ruined churches.
This is the least ruined of the ruined churches.		 Detail of the carvings on the doorway.
Detail of the carvings on the doorway.		 This church must have had two stories at one time.
This church must have had two stories at one time.
Here is an ancient mausoleum at the top of the hill
Here is an ancient mausoleum at the top of the hill		 Lions overlook the walls of the mausoleum.
Lions overlook the walls of the mausoleum.		 This is pat of the overhang showing carvings of flowers.
This is pat of the overhang showing carvings of flowers.		 This well looks similar to the St Paul well in the town of Tarsus.
This well looks similar to the St Paul well in the town of Tarsus.
We hiked down into the pit to get a closer look at this relief.
We hiked down into the pit to get a closer look at this relief.		 Relief in the pit at Kanlidivane
Relief in the pit at Kanlidivane		 Next to the bloody pit.
Next to the bloody pit.		 Here is another cistern--arches are often the only part of a structure that remains.
Here is another cistern--arches are often the only part of a structure that remains.
Here is an old-looking tombstone, but the grave is really not so old. See the next photo.
Here is an old-looking tombstone, but the grave is really not so old. See the next photo.		 This stone has the same name in the other photo. A 16-yr-old girl died in 1975. Someone must still care for her grave.
This stone has the same name in the other photo. A 16-yr-old girl died in 1975. Someone must still care for her grave.		 The ruins of one church as seen from the ruins of another.
The ruins of one church as seen from the ruins of another.		 Watch Tower
Watch Tower
Here is the caretakers quarters. You can buy plants, gourds, or a glass of tea.
Here is the caretakers quarters. You can buy plants, gourds, or a glass of tea.		 The sun is setting and it's time to go before the ghosts come out
The sun is setting and it's time to go before the ghosts come out

comment | share
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image