Olba - 7 September 2020

    Olba is a Hellenistic settlement with the Roman continuation (Durugönül 2001) situated approx. 85 km west of Mersin. It sits on a hill at the northern end of the Şeytan Deresi (Devil's Valley). The valley extends south for 25 km, finally reaching Korykos / Kızkalesi by the Mediterranean Sea. Initially, the site housed a garrison which controlled the valley traffic, but later the population of Olba became more diverse. Some time after 250 BC, 4 km west of their dwellings, the Olbians erected a temple dedicated to Zeus. In the Roman period, a new city was built around the shrine - Diokaisareia.

Nymphaion at Olba
 (immediately east of A) *

Landform (Google Earth), N↓*

Roman theatre (A), built in two stages in 2nd c. AD;
capacity c. 500 (Durugönül 2020) *

Perhaps doorjambs and lintel *

Remains of tower on top *

2-tier Roman aqueduct seen from north (B) *

Aqueduct arch (B) *

Built in AD 199 by Emperor
Septimus Severus (B) *

Chamber close to aqueduct *

Sarcophagus and tomb niches;
valley served as necropolis *

Stunning view on Devil's Valley (B to D) *

Complex tomb construction, being excavated (C) *

Niches *

Valley's split (D);
Arm E terminates in Roman road *