Adrassus (Balabolu) - Mersin

Adrassus (Balabolu) is an ancient settlement located in the Mut district of the Mersin city in the Mediterranean Region. Ancient city was built on a hill, which today is known as “Balabolu” or “Balapoğlu.” This site was an important center for trade and human habitation in very ancient times.

Ancient cities are the remnants of old urban settlements left to us by history. Adrassus, much like a time machine, carries significant clues about how people lived and what they did thousands of years ago. Studying these ruins helps us understand the past.

^{Adrassus (Balabolu) (}Culture Portal⁾

The earliest traces of settlement at Adrassus date back to the 2nd century CE. This means that people lived here approximately 1800 years ago. The town initially emerged as a settlement during the Roman Empire and became an independent city due to its strategic importance.

After the Roman Empire, the town came under the administration of Byzantine Empire for a period. Its role as a home to different civilizations contributed to the enrichment of its culture and architecture. Later, in the 13th century, it came under the protection of the Karamanoglu Beylik.

The ancient city was built atop a hill, making it easier to monitor the surrounding area and defend itself. Today, the foundations of an ancient church can be seen at the hill’s summit.

The surrounding cliffs were carved by humans into small and large chambers. Some of these carved rooms are plastered. People also shaped the main rock to create columns and staircases connecting different levels. This demonstrates the skill of the inhabitants in rock-cut architecture during that era.

^{Adrassus (Balabolu) (}Culture Portal⁾

At the base of the hill, a large necropolis extends from the ancient city. These tombs contain stone sarcophagi—rock-cut burial chambers—where people of that era were laid to rest.

The sarcophagi feature various carvings and reliefs. The most common motifs include wreaths and rosettes or cloverleaf designs enclosed within rings. Lion figures are frequently depicted on the lids of the sarcophagi; sometimes, these lions are shown holding a bovine-type animal beneath their front paws. These decorations provide insight into the artistic sensibilities and belief systems of the period.

^{Adrassus (Balabolu) (}Culture Portal⁾

At the summit of the hill, large cisterns—ancient water storage reservoirs—used by the inhabitants are still visible. Additionally, a water channel constructed with sandy-lime plaster has been observed within the ancient city. These structures demonstrate how the townspeople collected and utilized water, which was vital for daily life.