The city was famously known in antiquity as Soli, from which the term 'solecism' originates due to the perceived poor quality of the Greek spoken by its inhabitants.
Archaeological excavations revealed that the harbor was once one of the most important trading hubs in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The colonnaded street was intentionally designed to stretch directly from the city's agora to the harbor entrance.
The site contains a unique collection of honorific statue pedestals that shed light on the social hierarchies of Roman Cilicia.
Some of the columns at the site retain their original architectural features, such as the distinct Corinthian capitals and statue brackets.
Soli-Pompeiopolis is a significant ancient harbor city located in the Mezitli district of Mersin, dating back to the 7th century BCE. It is best known for its monumental colonnaded street, which once featured 200 Corinthian columns connecting the harbor to the city center. Originally a Rhodian colony, the city was later renamed Pompeiopolis after Roman General Pompey the Great rebuilt it in 67 BCE following his victory over Cilician pirates. The site currently displays approximately 40 surviving columns, some of which feature brackets that once held statues of Roman dignitaries. Ongoing archaeological excavations have uncovered a theater, a necropolis, and a harbor mole that extends into the Mediterranean Sea. The site serves as a rare example of a planned Roman city layout integrated directly into a coastal landscape.
The long, framed perspective shot looking down the line of Corinthian columns toward the sea.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the intense humidity and heat characteristic of the Mersin coastline.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the terrain around the columns is uneven and rocky.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is almost no natural shade available within the excavated area.
Do not attempt to walk on the uneven, slippery breakwaters near the harbor without proper footwear.
Respect archaeological boundaries by staying on marked paths; do not climb on or touch the ancient columns.
