Ancient sunken Roman city to open visitors in Turkey
The legend of sunken cities and civilizations has been a lure throughout history.
One of those, an ancient sunken Roman city, Rumkale in the foothills of a historic castle, which is considered the “pearl of the Euphrates” has embraced many civilizations throughout history.
The historical site located in the district of Yavuzeli in Turkey’s southeastern Gaziantep province is a natural and man-made wonder with an emerald green lake that surrounds its three sides and cliffs.
The sunken city will open to visitors within a project by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.
The vistors will take the opportunity to see the underwater historical ruins.
They will also be able to watch the lake and enjoy their coffee on a view terrace which will be built on a hill overlooking the lake and reached by cable car.
Considered sacred by Christians, Rumkale is rumored to be a place where John the Apostle lived during the Roman Empire and reproduced the Bible in a room excavated inside a rock.
The ancient fortress, first built by Assyrians, was later occupied by various Byzantine and Armenian warlords during the Middle Ages.
It once served as the seat of an Armenian patriarch. The Memluks of Egypt, Seljuks and finally the Ottomans retained the fortress securing Anatolia under Islamic rule.
