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== Places to visit == | == Places to visit == | ||
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Local points of interest include a great stone bridge, built in part during the reign (6th century) of the ] ], and the ruins of a castle dating from ]. ] is the oldest bridge in the world, which is still being used. | Local points of interest include a great stone bridge, built in part during the reign (6th century) of the ] ], and the ruins of a castle dating from ]. ] is the oldest bridge in the world, which is still being used. |
Revision as of 22:50, 1 April 2006
Adana is the fifth largest (14.030 km²) city in Turkey and the capital of Adana Province. It has a population of 1,271,894 (2006 estimate).
One of the large towns of Turkey, about nineteen miles from the sea, Adana derives its importance from its situation as the gateway to the Cilician plain (also called the Adana or Çukurova plain), that great flat stretch of fertile land, possibly the most productive in this part of the world, the east side of the Taurus Mountains. In Adana all the houses are flat-topped and the roofs serve as the bedrooms for the inhabitants during the hot summers. Adana was more important for its agriculture while Tarsus was the metropolis of the area. Several types of fruit are native to this area, the apricot being an example.
From Adana, crossing the Cilician plain going west, the road from Tarsus enters the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. With every foot of ascent the coolness increases, reaching an altitude of nearly 4000 feet. Then through the famous Cilician Gates, that rocky pass through which armies have coursed since history's dawn, and the caravan has arrived on the Anatolian plain.
Adana is the marketing and distribution center for an agricultural region in which cotton, wheat, barley, grapes, citrus fruits, olives, and tobacco are produced. The chief industries in the city are textile manufacturing, tanning, and the processing of wool. The city is also famous for its cuisine, namely the Adana kebab and şalgam, a local variety of turnip juice.
History
Overview
It's known that many highly cultured civilizations had lived in Çukurova Region since the ancient ages according to the information that had come to light by the archaeological studies. By the aid of findings, historian believed that the first human came to area in Paleolitic period. Generally speaking, the history of Adana falls behind 3000 years. The city was directly and indirectly subject of many written and unwritten epics and legends. Adana also takes place in a Sumerian epic, Gilgamesh.
Antiquity
Tepebag Tumulus was built in Neolithic Age and is considered as the oldest city of Çukurova Region, in which archeologist found a stone wall and a city center.
According to inscription of Kava, which was written by Hittites and found in Hattusas (BogazKoy), Kitvanza Kingdom was the first kingdom ruled Adana, which was under protection of Hittites in 1335(BC). In the inscription of Kava, official name of the city was URU ADANIYYA and inhabitants of the city were called DANUNA. It is believed that the name of the city comes from a legend that Adanus and Sarus, two sons of Uranus, came near Seyhan River, and then they built Adana.
Falling down of the Hittites approximately in 1191-1189 B.C by the invasions coming from the west many small kingdoms had arisen. Chronologically Kue Kingdom, Assyrians in 9th century (BC), Clinician Kingdom, Persians 6th century (BC), Alexander The Great in 333 BC, Selokonids, and Pirated of Çukurova and Romans.
During Pompeus times, the city was used as a prison of Pirates of Çukurova. It can be said that Çukurova and Adana had developed in the Julian times. As with the built grand bridges, roads, government buildings and irrigation plantation Adana and Çukurova had become the most developed and crucial trade center. By the collapse of the Roman Empire the Antiquity had been closed down.
Middle Ages
After the Romans in the middle Ages, Abbasids started to rule Adana in 7th century. According to Arabic historian lived at the same time claimed that the name of the city was derived from EZENE, prophet Yazene’s grandson.
Byzantines ruled the area at the beginning of 10th century after Abbasids lost their power on Adana. After success of Alparslan in Battle of Malazgirit, lots of Turks came to area. Turks called Çukurova to area instead of Cilicia. Seljuks captured the city from Mamluks. Thought peace occured between two kingdoms sometimes, they fought many times to control the city. When Seljuks captured Adana, they brought Karamanids to Çukurova to keep border safe. However, Seljuks dominance on Adana ended by Crusaders, in 1097. Mamluks re-captured the city at the begining of 14th century, and they allowed many Turkmen families. Ramazaoğulları, one of Turkmen families brougt by Mamluks ruled Adana untill Ottoman Empire captured Adana.
New Ages
At the end of New Age era and at the era of Modern Ages ( 1517 – 1918 ) the Ottoman Empire ruled the area.
England, France and Russia that struggled politically with the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century in order to demolish it helped the Egyptian Governor Mehmet Ali Pasha who rebelled against the Ottomans. After a very short time these areas were in the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire. An administrative institution was established and Adana had become a province. As the city had many names, so confusion occured as usuall. Hence, Ottoman Empire prohibited usage of any other names of the city instead of Adana, in 1865.
In 1909 it was the scene of what is termed the Adana massacre, while Turkish scholars and few others refer to the event from a thesis of its underlying causes: Adana rebellion.
After WWI, Ottoman government gave the control of the city to allied forces. During Turkish War of Independence, Adana had very important place. Mustafa Kemal came to city in 31,October 1918 and he stayed eleven days in Adana. As a result of this, he decided to fight aganist alias and the idea of Kuvvay-i Milliye was born, as he said. Turkish nationalist were grouped and fought until February 5, 1921.
Places to visit
Local points of interest include a great stone bridge, built in part during the reign (6th century) of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, and the ruins of a castle dating from 782. Stone Bridge is the oldest bridge in the world, which is still being used.
Büyük Saat, a big clock tower, was built by local governor of Adana in 1882. Ufortunately, ıt was damaged in French occupation peroid. Afterwards, the tower was re-built in 1935. Its silhouette is used as symbol of the city.
There is an old Bazaar (Kazancılar Çarşısı) around Büyük Saat. Çarşı Hamamı is a Turkish bath built in 1519, which locates in Kazancılar Çarşısı. Addiditionally, there are old buildings, graves of local governers near Büyük Saat
Bebekli Kilise, (Church of Babies) is an old Catholic church which is located in city center. In the street of the church, there are lots of old houses.
Historical Chronology
- B.C. 1900 Luvi Kingdom
- B.C. 1500 Arzava Kingdom
- B.C. 1500 Kizvatna Kingdom
- B.C. 1530 Hittite Empire
- B.C. 1200 Kue Kingdom
- B.C. 713-663 Assyrian Empire
- B.C. 663-612 Cilicia Kingdom
- B.C. 621-333 Persian Empire
- B.C. 333-323 Macedonian Kingdom
- B.C. 312-133 Seleucid Empire
- B.C. 178-12 Pirate of Cilicia
- B.C. 12- AD 395 Roman Empire
- 395-651 Byzantine Empire
- 651 Islamic Kingdom of Cilicia
- 786-809 Control of Harun-ür Reşid
- 960- 956 Nicephorus II Phocas
- 1080-1353 Armenian Kingdom
- 1219 Karamanid Kingdom
- 1353-1517 Ramazanoğulları
- 1517-1918 Ottoman Empire
- 1918 Allied Forces
- 1921 Republic of Turkey
Names of the City
- Adanos
- Ta Adana
- Uru Adaniya
- Erdene
- Edene
- Ezene
- Batana
- Atana
- Azana
- Adana
Buildings and monuments
- Alemdar Mescidi
- Şeyh Zülfi mescidi
- Irmak Hamamı
- Çarşı Hamammı
- Mestenzade Hamamı
- Yeni Hamam
- Saat Kulesi
- Stone Bridge
- Seyhan Dam
- Adana Ulu Camii
- New Mosque
- Butter mosque
- Adana Ataturk museum
- Eski Camii
- Clock Tower
- Adana Museum
- Adana Etnography Museum
- Adana Archeological Museum
- Adana Atatürk Museum
- Misis Mosaic Museum
Historical Sites and Ruins
- Yumurtalık Ruins - Yumurtalık
- Anavarza Ruins - Kazan/Dilekkaya
- Şar Ruins - Tufanbeyli/Şar
- Mağarsus Ruins - Karataş
- Karatepe - Aslantaş (Domuztepe-Pınarözü) - Kadirli/Düziçi
Festivals
- Karakucak Wrestling Festival - Kadirli (25-26 May)
- Altın Koza (Golden Cocoon) Film Festival - Provincial Center (14-25 September)
- İmamoğlu Peach Festival - İmamoğlu (In June)
- Kızıldağ Karakucak Wrestling Festival - Karaisalı
- Cherry Festival - Saimbeyli (20-22 June)
Education
- Cukurova University - Çukurova Üniversitesi
- Cag University - Çağ Üniversitesi
Transportation
Airport
See also
Football Teams
Famous people from Adana
References
- Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition (1911), sv. Adana; for the Adana massacre, sv. Turkey (vol. 27, p. 464c).
- Justin McCarthy, The Population of the Ottoman Armenians, page(65-85)
External links
- Encyclopaedia of Turkey Adana article
- Pictures of Adana
- Pictures of the city
- Official web site of the city
- Adana Weather Forecast Information
- Adana Guide and Photo Album