Kanlıdivane, Archaeological site in Yenişehir, Turkey
Kanlıdivane is an archaeological complex near Erdemli featuring a large sinkhole that measures about 130 meters long and 70 meters deep. Around this depression sit ancient structures and ruins from different periods of time.
The site began as part of the Olba Kingdom and received a tower in the 3rd century BC, built by Teukros to honor Zeus. In later periods, Byzantine people reshaped the area for religious use.
The four large churches surrounding the sinkhole show how this place became a religious center during Byzantine times. Visitors can still see how people gathered here to worship and spend their daily lives.
The complex sits about 55 kilometers from Mersin and about 18 kilometers from the town of Erdemli, making access fairly straightforward. The paths for exploring the area are well-accessible, and visitors should bring sturdy shoes and seek shade when needed.
The walls of the sinkhole bear old reliefs and inscriptions, including a portrait of a soldier named Trogomon and family memorial carvings. These details give visitors a direct window into the daily lives of the people who once lived here.
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