Church of Cambazlı, Byzantine church ruins in Silifke, Turkey
The Church of Cambazlı is a Byzantine church ruin near Silifke with three interior corridors and original columns intact. The structure covers substantial ground and retains its basic layout along with its dome and apse.
The church was built during the 5th century in the Byzantine period and served as a connection point between the ancient cities of Corycus and Diocaesarea. It sat along an ancient road network that linked these important centers.
The ruins show columns with Corinthian capitals that reveal how early Christian builders worked with stone. Walking through the site, you can see how craftspeople arranged these elements to create a space for worship.
The site lies outside Silifke in a remote location, so having a vehicle or arranging local transport is helpful. The area has minimal shade and water access, so plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon and bring water to drink.
Despite centuries exposed to the elements, the original dome and the apse columns have survived remarkably well. A water cistern sits in the courtyard, a quiet reminder of how Byzantine builders managed water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
