Uzuncaburç

Uzuncaburç was ancient Diocaesarea, and before that Olba, a temple state in the highlands where a priestly dynasty ruled from a sanctuary of Zeus Olbios. The temple, built in the third century BCE, is among the earliest Corinthian buildings in Anatolia and around thirty of its columns still stand, some with capitals in place, in the middle of a working village - houses, gardens and goats occupy the same ground. Around it are a monumental gateway with five columns, a colonnaded street, a theatre, a temple of Tyche with its columns standing, a Hellenistic tower five storeys high that gives the modern village its name, and a necropolis with carved sarcophagi along the road in. Very little is fenced. The drive up from Silifke climbs through gorges and juniper into cool highland air, and the village sells the region's dried fruit and pekmez. It is quiet, unpolished and considerably more atmospheric than most managed sites.

What you'll find

• The Zeus temple - some thirty standing Corinthian columns.
• The tall tower - the Hellenistic tower that names the village.
• The colonnaded street - gateway and columns through the village.
• The necropolis - carved sarcophagi along the approach.

When to go

April to June and September to November. The highland setting stays cooler than the coast, which makes it a good summer escape, though midday sun is still strong.

Before you go

The site is scattered through an inhabited village with minimal signage and few barriers - respect gardens and livestock. Facilities are a couple of village cafés. The mountain road is winding and slow.

Nearby

Kızkalesi and Kanlıdivane are down on the coast; Silifke and the Göksu delta are below.

Key facts