It is the main gate of the historical city opening towards the western side, and is the only gate remaining from walls of the city. It is called as “Sea Gate” due to being close to the port, as the “Silifke Gate” due to located on the Seleukia route that is one of the most important cities of the period, and as the “St.Paul Gate” in the voyage notes from the 19th century. Researches regarding the construction period indicate that the gate was constructed in the Roman Empire era depending on particularly the arch shape, sculpture niches facing out of the city and material of construction. Also, the location of the current gate indicates availability of a previous gate. Height of the single arch gate is 8,50m, and the central width is 5,60 m. It is recently restored mainly for its single arch having the shape of a semi-circle.
Today, when visitors visit the Cleopatra Gate, various historical details and stories are told. Some of them are “Young emperor candidate Marcus Antonius realized major zoning activities to arrange Tarsus; the city people were mesmerized with the entrance of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra into Tarsus Port with her unique ship and Tarsus suddenly became the most important center where the heart of the World beats; power of love between Cleopatra and Antonius.
Cleopatra in Tarsus
Historian Plutarkhos describes arrival of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra to Tarsus for meeting the Roman General Markus Antonius in 41 B.C. as:
“Finally, Cleopatra was seen on the Kydnos (Tarsus) Creek with her ship. This ship was a large imperial caique; its back part was made of gold bronze, and sails are made of purple satin; silver paddles were moving in the water in synchrony with the flute, pipe and harp instruments. Cleopatra was sitting like the Aphrodite under a shelter made of fabric with golden laces; slaves on both sides with paint-decorated faces swinging fans on her. The entire population of the city was on the river side and as the ship slowly runs up the river, the crowd moves as well. The city center was empty. Roman Commander Marcus Antonius was waiting for her in the city famous with its strong walls. Cleopatra entered the city through the gate at the Tarsus Port entrance under a blue sky.”