Donuktaş is an important Roman temple located in the Tarsus district of Mersin. Tarsus district; Throughout history, it has been a settlement where various religions and beliefs coexist. For this reason, it has a rich cultural history. Among the important structures remaining from these cultures is the Roman Temple called “Donuktaş” or “Dönüktaş”. The mysterious temple, which is even older than Hagia Sophia, is considered the oldest and largest temple of Ancient Rome. In addition to many scientific studies about the temple, there are urban legends and stories circulating. There are various ascriptions for Donuktaş, such as the Temple of Jupiter, the mausoleum, the Doric temple, the palace, and the prophecy center.
Donuktaş Roman Temple located in Tekke district of Tarsus; It is thought to have been built towards the end of the 2nd century AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The temple was used as the common temple of the Roman Province of Cilicia. This structure has attracted the attention of many researchers since the 18th century. However, in 1836, during the discovery made by the French consul Gillet with dynamite, the temple was severely damaged. It is not known exactly for whom the temple was built. French scientist Viktor Langlois; Although he claimed that this was the tomb of the Assyrian king Sardanapalus, it was later determined that the building was a temple.
Scientific Researches About Donuktaş
The French archaeologist Charles Texier, who carried out the first excavation in Donuktaş, found a finger thought to belong to a large statue. The most serious excavations were carried out by Prof. Dr. It was carried out by Nezahet Baydur and Tarsus Museum between 1982-1992. Within the scope of the studies carried out for five years, a lot of information about the building was obtained. According to the architectural structures found in previous studies, the temple was dated to the 2nd century AD. However, by looking at the architectural features of the new finds, they are dated to the Antonine period, especially to the time of Kommodus, which is considered the end of this period. The building is thought to be related to the cult of the emperor. Based on the architectural parts of the temple, it is thought that its construction was started in the 2nd century but not completed.
It is understood that the parts that make up the structure are Roman concrete. A retaining wall was provided with concrete poured in molds and limestone blocks seen from place to place. It has been determined that the building rests on a 20-stepped pedestal. The rectangular planned temple is 98 meters long, 43 meters wide, and 8 meters high and 6.50 meters thick. It is understood that the top of the main space is open. It is thought that the temple was a temple of unity symbolizing regional unity in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in the 2nd century. According to another idea, it is suggested that it may have been dedicated to Sandan (Sandon), the founder and chief god of Tarsus. Since these gods were identified with Jupiter in the Roman Period, it is thought to have been built as the Temple of Jupiter.
In a study carried out by the University of Marburg in Germany in 2012; The existing foundations and structural elements of the building were measured in detail with modern methods such as laser scanning and geophysics. It is understood that the building was built in 130 AD for the cult of the emperor Hadrian. Pieces such as coins, oil lamps and ceramics from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods found in the excavations are exhibited in the Tarsus Museum.
Mysteries of the Donuktaş Temple
It is a very interesting detail that the Donuktaş Temple did not have a door until recently. The present door was opened later. There are tunnels inside the temple, where it is unknown. It is thought that one of them may have been established in connection with the Ancient Roman road in Tarsus. At the same time, one of the most magnificent gates in Hagia Sophia, previously found in Donuktaş, but brought to Istanbul by the Byzantine Empire. Hagia Sophiawas used in.
According to a story told about Donuktaş by the people of Tarsus; Donuktaş was used as a king’s palace on the Göztepe Mound in ancient times. However, with a kick thrown by a religious man who was angry with the king, the palace turned upside down and fell to its present place. According to another story told by the local people; The newly married couples entering the cave in the middle of Donuktaş would come out from another place outside the building. It was believed that this would make the marriage better. However, when a couple who entered the cave could not go out again and disappeared, entry and exit to the cave were prohibited.
