Tekir ambarı, Ancient cistern in Silifke, Turkey
Tekir Ambarı is an ancient Roman water cistern in Mersin Province constructed from massive stone blocks carved into the rock face. The structure measures approximately 46 meters long and 14 meters wide, with eight semicircular vaulted niches along its longer sides and five along its shorter sides, providing both structural support and storage capacity.
The cistern was constructed during the Byzantine period to ensure the water supply of the ancient city of Silifke. For centuries it served as critical infrastructure for the local population, until it gradually fell into disuse and neglect over time.
The name Tekir Ambarı means "Tekir storehouse" in Turkish. The arched niches lining the interior walls once served the practical needs of the city, and visitors can still observe how this building functioned as a central point in the water management system that residents depended on daily.
Access to the interior is via a spiral staircase on the southeast side that allows visitors to descend and explore the depth and structure from within. The site sits near Silifke Castle and is reachable by car or local transport, making it a practical stop when visiting the region.
The structure could hold approximately 10,000 cubic meters of water, a remarkable capacity that demonstrates the engineering capabilities of Byzantine builders. Today the thick stone walls and precisely vaulted niches still speak to the technical mastery that ancient workers achieved in water storage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
