Çatıören, Archaeological site in Cilicia, Turkey.
Çatıören is an archaeological site in Cilicia with remains spanning multiple periods. The three main structures include a temple with walls partially carved into rock, a Byzantine church with standing walls and an apse, and additional features such as water cisterns and burial chambers scattered across the terrain.
The settlement began in Hellenistic times and continued through the Byzantine period, with its temple dating to the 1st or 2nd century BC. The site shows continuous use across multiple cultural and historical phases.
The Hellenistic temple features walls partially carved into rock and displays relief decorations of Caduceus, symbolizing dedication to Hermes.
The site sits near the main road D.400 and is accessible via local roads, roughly 25 kilometers from Erdemli. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and bring suitable footwear plus sun protection.
The terrain is filled with numerous water cisterns and burial chambers, showing how inhabitants managed water storage and burials. A structure with puzzling design may have served as a defensive tower.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.