Tarsus, Paul's Hometown

Tarsus is one of the few modern Turkish cities that continues to carry its original name.  Almost everything from Paul's time is buried 6 - 8 feet below the current city.

However, a short section of street has been excavated and there is a small section of what is traditionally believed to have been the city center that has been excavated.  There is a well there, a traditional site that may or may not have any connection to the Apostle Paul.  One might think, however, that if this were the city center of Paul's hometown and it was the site of the community well, the Apostle Paul might well have spent some time here.
















I suspect it wasn't the smartest thing I've every done but I had to taste the water.  It was cool and had a mineral taste, which may have come from the bucket.






In the heart of modern Tarsus, archeologists have excavated a section of street, the colannaded cardo.  It is from the 2nd century B.C.E. and is complete with gutters and an under the street drainage system.  The road is 23' wide and excavated to a length of 50 yards or so.  Also uncovered are shops and houses.  The visitor could conceptualize that the road extends beneath the surface level to a point near the courtyard which contains the well.

 Thanks for stopping by!