The Roman road in Tarsus is a paved street from the early Roman period, found in 1993 in the old part of the city while a building site was being dug. It is about 6.5 meters wide and had column bases on both sides, so it was probably a street with columns.
| Where | Old part of Tarsus, Mersin Province |
|---|---|
| Age | Early Roman period |
| Width | About 6.5 meters |
| Near | St. Paul’s Well |
Tarsus was the capital city of the Roman province of Cilicia. Today some parts of this road on the north of Tarsus was unearthed and as we understand the road was made of basalt stone. Sewage tunnels were discovered underneath the road suggesting there were settlements nearby the road. There is still no clear evidence telling which city was connected to Tarsus via this road.
St. Paul’s Well Near the Roman Road in Tarsus
Tarsus was the hometown of Apostle Paul, and he was proud of it. In Acts 21:39 he calls it “no mean city”. Tradition says courtyard of St. Paul’s Well was his house. Digs nearby the well found Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers, and the well is about 38 meters deep.
I wrote more about his life in my post on Saint Paul of Tarsus, and about the province in Cilicia Province of Roman Empire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Roman road from St. Paul’s Well?
About 150 meters. The road lies southwest of the well, so you can see both on one short walk through the old part of the city.
Did Cleopatra really enter Tarsus through Cleopatra’s Gate?
Nobody can prove it. Cleopatra did meet Mark Antony in Tarsus in 41 BC, but the gate we see today is from a later time and has been heavily restored.
Is there another Roman road near Tarsus?
Yes. A longer stretch of Roman road, with an old arch on its route, survives in the hills north of Tarsus. See my post on the Roman road in Cilicia.
