Situated in the middle of the Cukurova Plain (Cilician Plain), Adana is the fourth largest city of Turkey, nestled in the most fertile agricultural area of the whole country which is fed by the lifegiving waters of River Seyhan. The city's name originates in mythology, where it was said to have been founded by Adanus, the son of Kronus (God of Weather). Due to its being in the heart of that fertile center Adana has been an important city for many civilizations for centuries dating back to the Hittites. The precious River Seyhan is spanned by the ancient Taskopru (Stone Bridge) which was built by Hadrian and then repaired by Justinian. It is worth noting that to built a 300 yards long stone bridge in Roman times was a real feat. In the city, the 16thcentury Great Mosque (Ulu Camii), the Yag or Eski Mosque, the Hasan Aga Mosque, Saat Kulesi (the clock-tower) built in 1882, an old covered bazaar, Bedesten or Arasta are of interest. Also be sure to see the Ethnographical Museum where Turkish carpets, swords, manuscript books and tombstones are exhibited. The building itself is interesting as well since it was built as a church by the Crusaders. The Adana Archaeological Museum merits visiting too. Adana is also famous for its delicious Adana Kebap. The tea houses and restaurants alongside the Seyhan Dam and Lake provide a cool and perfect view of the city and the river at sunsets.Yumurtalik (84 kms from Adana) and Karatas (50 kms from Adana)are the nearest beaches with proper accommodation. In Yumurtalik there is an ancient harbour castle contributing much to this pretty fishing city. For fishing, there is Camlik Park 30 kms southwest of Adana. There are some ancient cities on the road to Iskenderun which include Roman remnants. Misis is on the caravan route that came from China, India and Persia. Among the remains of Roman times, the most interesting is the elegant mosaic of the 4th century A.D representing Noah's Ark. Yilanlikale has the ruins of a fortress set atop a peak dominating the River Ceyhan. Dilekkaya, the ancient Anavarza, was an important RomanByzantine city which still preserves the outline of the old city including two particularly worthwhile mosaics. Karatepe National Park is the neoHittite site where you will find the remains of the summer residence of King Asitawada, tablets of Hittite and Phoenician inscriptions, and an openair museum holding many remnants. Castabala and Toprakkale are the other historical remains. Karsanb Forest, Burucek, Tekir, Horzum, Zorkum meadows are ideal for picnicking and resting. In the middle of the Cilician Plain, now called Cukurova, lies Adana, Turkey's fourth largest city with about one million inhabitants. Adana is the cotton and citrus capital of Turkey. This fertile region 25 miles east of the Taurus Mountains owes much of its wealth to the Ceyhan and Seyhan rivers, which for the centuries have irrigated the vast fields. But the area's wealth has only recently trickled down to the inhabitants, whose abject poverty as virtual serfs to greed landowners is so aptly described by Adana's favorite scribe and Nobel Prize nominee, Yasar Kemal. In fields near the city people continue to toil as they have for 100 years, backs bent and heads covered to protect against the harsh Adana sun. Yet here and there are signs of change, brightly painted clean houses, cars parked alongside the fields, the increasing number of schools and bustling markets.

Roman Bridge
Roman Bridge built in the 2nd century which dates back to the Emperor Hadrian and is 43 feet wide and 340 yards long.
 
Ulu Cami
Ulu Cami, the Grand Mosque, which was built in 1507. The building includes a mosque, a medrese. The buildings are particularly interesting because of the variety of styles they represent, Syrian, Seljuk and Ottoman styles.
 
Eski Yag Mosque
Eski Yag Mosque dating back from the 15th century with its stunning door.
 
Hasan Kethude Mosque
Hasan Kethude Mosque was the work of the famous Ottoman architect Sinan and was built in the 16th century.
 
Clock Tower
Clock Tower is located between the Eski Yag and the Ulu Mosques and is over a hundred feet high. The tower was built in 1882.
  
Eski Mosque used to be a church before it was converted into a mosque.