Adana

The city, situated in the center of Cilicia the plain, stretches across the fertile lands of the rivers Seyhan and Ceyhan irrigating Qukurova. In the Etruscan/Luwian language the name of the city is "Atanuwa", meaning "the city of the divine bull king." The name of the city located in the level Cilicia, also known as Que, subsequently became Attania. According to the finds revealed, it appears that the area was inhabited since the prehistorical times. The city, brought under the jurisdiction of the Hittite Federation with the name Atanuwa circa 2000 B.C., was shown within the Autonomous Kingdom of Kizzuwatna. The area fell under the rules of the Assyrians in the 9th century B.C. and Persians in the 5th century B.C. followed by the Macedonians, Romans and Byzantines. It was invaded by the Arabs in the 5th century and dominated by the Gagauz V'c-a^s who came to the area in 1083. The major remains are the ancient Karatas Magarassa which was subordinated to the Hittite Kingdom circa 1200 B.C. and where there are various temples, the Church of Father Christmas. bathhouse, cistern and sa'cophag. Kozartf Sis where there is a castfe built by time Assyrians, Anavarza near Ceyhan which was built during the Hittite era and where the remains of the theatre, stadium and aqueduct are visible and, 25 km to east of Adana, Misis with remains belonging to the Roman era and a Seljuk caravanserai and to the north of Misis, the famed Yilanlf (Snake-infested) Castle on the acropolis. The Roman Bridge with 21 openings is the foremost work of art. Also to be found are Ulu Cami and adjacent complex of buildings built by Ramazanogullan in 1541, Hasan Acja Mosque with a wall bearing the signature of Evliya Qelebi, Yag Cami built upon the remains of an old church and the clock tower, 32 m tall. The most important portrait belongs to Lokman Hekim who was regarded as the master of the physicians in the world. He lived in £ukurova and found "the formulation of immortality",but dropped it in the river Ceyhan.Today Adana is one of the major cities and the foremost cotton production centres in Turkey, well-known for its kebabs, turnip juice and sweets.