Adana Şar Site at Tufanbeyli District

Şar Site at Tufanbeyli District 
The site is located at the northern tip of the Tufanbeyli District of the province, a few kilometres from the provincial boundary and has works from the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine periods. However, the majority of the works which have remained until now are mostly from the Roman period.

This place which was known as the "Cilician Common" was the second religious centre of the Hittites, the first being the "Pontus Common". The Hittite kings used to personally attend the religious ceremonies held here. Six thousand men and women were serving under the chief priest in this religious centre. The income obtained from the rich lands donated to the Common was collected by the chief priest. The Great Priest and the King were members of the same dynasty and the priest's rank came just after that of the King at Cilician and Cappadocian commons.

Most of the findings at Şar, still standing, are Roman remains. Among these the "Amphitheatre", the levelled open air theatre, is particularly interesting. This theatre, which was built in the south end of the upper neighbourhood on the slope on the left bank of the river, unfortunately lies in ruins today. The only intact remains are a high wall and some of the stepped seats. Underneath these stepped seats there are cellars which provide support to the upper structure and also serve as a shelter for the wild animals. Some of these are still underground.

Another important finding here is a church which is a Byzantine relic. This house of worship, the dome of which was destroyed by lightning, was built with smoothly carved, very large stone blocks. In the district which is known as the Church quarter, a 5 metre high wall from the apse of this Christian temple has managed to remain upright. The stone blocks from the building which lie on the ground have various geometrical motifs and there is a figure of the cross on one of them.

The most valuable and unique relic from the past that Şar possesses is the "Alakapı". The district it stands in is known by the same name. This high structure, which is 6 metres long and 3 metres wide, is built with large marble blocks and can be identified as the gate of the temple of the Mother Goddess. Despite the fact that the temple has been completely destroyed, front and side facade stones found next to this gate which are decorated with plant motifs, give us an idea about the original position and dimensions of the building.

In this location, which was known as the Hieropolis in the Roman times, there are some building remains, reliefs and inscriptions and a large number of architectural elements, such as columns and column capitals, architraves and arches strewn around haphazardly.