Kanlıdivane (Kanytelis / Neapolis)
Kanlıdivane · Kanytelis · Kanlidivane
Hellenistic to medieval (c.400 BCE–1200 CE)·Olbian priest-kings → Isaurian pirates → Roman → Byzantine·🇹🇷 Mersin Province, Cilicia, Turkey
About
About Kanlıdivane (Kanytelis / Neapolis)
Dramatic sinkhole-city (60 m deep chasm 90 × 60 m) into whose cliff cemeteries and churches are cut like a New World cenote. Three Roman-Byzantine basilicas stand on the rim, their crypts descending to the karst pit. The north rim holds the Temple of Zeus (late Hellenistic) converted to Church 1 and Olbian tower tombs; the south rim holds the Temple of Armaronzas and conical tower tombs poked on skyline. Necropolis contains 4th-c. BCE burials through Isaurian wars.
Why it mattersUnique chasm-necropolis ensemble illustrating Olbian sacred geography morphing to Christian basilical planning.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which deity presided before Zeus Olbius took the sinkhole?
- 02Was chasm a water source or solely mortuary pit?
Theories
- 01Meteor sinkhole interpreted as Zeus thunderbolt crater
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Settlement from c.400 BCE, city 2nd c. BCE Hellenistic
- Period
- Hellenistic to medieval (c.400 BCE–1200 CE)
- Culture
- Olbian priest-kings → Isaurian pirates → Roman → Byzantine
- Builders
- Olba dynasts, Isaurians, Roman Cilicians
- Purpose
- Canyon cult centre and later episcopal see
- Abandoned
- c. 1200 CE (Armenian abandonment)
- Rediscovered
- 1881 Sterrett; 1950s Keil & Wilhelm; 1970s DAI survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
2nd c. BCE
Temple of Zeus built; Kanytelis walled
5th c. CE
Episcopal complex with sinkhole crypts
On the ground
Structures & features
36.5289° N · 34.1794° E · 230 m · 2 mapped features
Great Sinkhole (Kanlı Çukur)
sinkhole60 m deep karst pit with cliff-tombs opening into wall
36.5288° N · 34.1795° ERim Basilica Group
churchThree basilicas on north and south rim with crypt access to pit
36.5293° N · 34.1790° E
Gallery