MESSAGE OF THE MAYOR

The Trace of Thousands of Years of Civilization: “TARSUS” Tarsus is an ancient city where the echoes of history resonate with every step, and its streets carry the traces of the past. As one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia, it has a history stretching back 10,000 years in the heart of Çukurova. The lands where the legend of Şahmeran was born harbor poison for the wicked, healing for the good, and wisdom for those who aim to make the world a more livable place. Looking at the origin of the name Tarsus, some say it is derived from Parthenia, a city founded by the son of the river god Cydnos, while others believe it comes from Tarsos, a word related to Pegasus injuring his foot in the Cilician plain. These lands are known as Tarşa in Hittite tablets, Tarzi in Assyrian sources, Tarsos in Greek sources, and Tersîs and Tarsûs in Arabic and Ottoman sources. They proudly carry the traces of various civilizations. Preserving and passing on the history of this ancient city to future generations is one of our greatest responsibilities as the Tarsus Municipality. We are committed to working with all our might to protect this vast heritage of history, making Tarsus a more livable and beautiful city. Because Tarsus is not just a city; it is a treasure where thousands of years of civilization, culture, and wisdom-filled legends reside. Our greatest duty is to protect, develop, and present this treasure to the world. We invite you to explore the unique richness of our city and delve into the depths of these historical treasures.