After visiting the Lower City in July, I set off to continue my acquaintance with the ancient city of Anazarbos. On this occasion, I focused on the Upper City (or Acropolis) which is situated strategically on an isolated crag, 220 m above the Çukurova plain. It is speculated that the advantages of location were first recognized by the Assyrians in the 9th century BC. The majority of remains come from the medieval Armenian period, nevertheless. They are accessible after a short ascent from the southwest.
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| Anazarbos from northwest * |
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| Landform (Google Earth) N↑ * |
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| Lovely morning * |
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| Almost there * |
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| Off I go * |
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| Roman theatre (A), demolished, probably in 6th c. AD (Posamentir 2011) * |
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| Rock-cut stairs leading to small Byzantine postern (I) * |
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| Armenian wall with horseshoe-shaped towers (G) (Edwards 1987) * |
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| Southeastern tower * |
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| Entrance to southeastern tower at unusual height * |
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| Cistern inside southeastern tower hence elevated entrance * |
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| Stairs leading to wall-walks * |
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| On wall, western view * |
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| Apse of baronial church of T'oros I; c. 1111 AD; looking from east* |
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| Armenian gate; ascent alongside east wall for ease of defense * |
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| Donjon - built by Crusaders and repaired by Armenians (Edwards 1987) * |
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| Battered south wall * |
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| Now ladder, then drawbridge * |
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| Forward march! * |
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| Last look at north face of donjon and east wall * |
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| Splendid! * |
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| Remains of Armenian structure * |
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| Northernmost piece of Armenian walls (G) * |
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| Path's end. Byzantine walls (E) stretch to another rock, but it's not accessible from where I stand * |
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| Byzantine walls (F) of Anazarbos' Lower City * |
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| Bye, bye from West Gate of Lower City * |
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| Reminder * |
