Elaiussa Sebaste, Ancient city in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Elaiussa Sebaste stands as an extensive archaeological site near the Mediterranean coast, featuring well-preserved ruins including a theater, necropolis, baths, cisterns, and ancient aqueducts from Roman and Byzantine periods.
Founded in the 2nd century BCE on a small island, the city was later renamed Sebaste by Cappadocian King Archelaus during Emperor Augustus's reign and flourished until the 3rd century when external invasions led to its decline.
The settlement showcased a rich blend of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine architectural traditions, evidenced by its basilicas with mosaic floors, civic structures, and religious buildings that reflect diverse cultural influences throughout its history.
Visitors can access the archaeological site via the D.400 highway with parking available nearby, and guided tours provide detailed explanations of the theater, agora, necropolis, and ongoing excavation work conducted by international archaeological teams.
The site contains one of Anatolia's best-preserved necropolises with nearly 100 elaborate tombs and sarcophagi, alongside an advanced aqueduct system that transported water from the distant Lamos River to supply the ancient city.
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