Uzuncaburç, an hour’s ride in a great mountain area north of Silifke, is where the ruins of Olba Diocaesarea can be found (I sometimes come across the spelling Olbia, but that seems to be wrong). Most of these date to the second century BC. A dynasty of priests (the Teucrids) ruled West Cilicia from here, until emperor Vespian integrated the area into the Roman province of Cilicia. In this gallery I also show – as a sub-gallery - pictures of the nearby (45 minutes on a real ancient Roman road) Ura, the housing town belonging to the temples at Olba Diocaesarea. It has been identified as the Ura that is already mentioned in Hittite sources. There is another Diocaesarea in Israel, so this (Uzuncaburç) one is called Diocaesarea (Isauria), Isauria being the Roman province it in.
In 2013 and 2015 I visited all these spots again, taking many similar pictures and some new ones. In 2022 I reorganise pictures, putting most in sub-galleries. Some texts may be strange due to my not describing a tour anymore.
On the return to Silifke do not forget Demircili with some fine grave monuments.