Tarsus

Tarsus District Capital, Mersin Province.
Tarsus is a city in Southern Turkey. It was a major Roman city of its time. Its great ancient buildings, in particular those from Tarsus' heyday in the early years of Christianity have been almost totally lost. The ancient city lies buried 6-7m/20-23ft below the alluvial plain of the Tarsus Çayi and little excavation has so far been carried out. Today, Tarsus is home to more than 200,000 people. It is famous for its Salgam (beats juice) and the traditional taste of Okyay Helva sweets. The cave of the Ashab-i Kehf is also claimed to be located in Tarsus which attracts substantial tourism to the city.