Roman King’s Road to open for travelers

MERSİN – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photos

Those fancying a spin on the superhighways of the ancients need look no further than Mersin’s Erdemli district, where archaeologists are preparing to open the 4.5-kilometer-long, Roman-era King’s Road to tourism.

Cleaning work has started to unearth the road, which connects the ancient city to the Kızkalesi Castle, in the ancient city of Elaussia Sebaste.

“Those who want to walk on this road will travel to the Roman era 2,000 years ago and experience the ancient age. There are millions of Europeans and Turks who want to walk on roads like this. The road will be on the list of the groups of these people,” said Roma Le Sapienza University Archaeology Department Professor Annalisa Polosa, who is heading the excavation at Elaussia Sebaste, which first began in 1994.


A number of artifacts have been unearthed in the ancient city, including the King’s Road. Mersin Municipality teams are currently working to clean the road under the direction of Polosa. 

Stating that they would start restoration on the road after cleaning, Polosa said, “When this 2,000-year-old Roman-era road is opened, the necropolises on the road will be unearthed, too. This road will add value to this region as it has not been unearthed so far because of neglect.” 

Polosa said the road would be on the list of international groups that organize archaeological trips around the world.


“People will be able to travel on the ancient road. As well as the necropolises on the roadside, there is a chance to see Kızkalesi, which is located on the sea. They will imagine the magnificence 2,000 years ago. Then the name of the region will be known better,” the professor said. 

She said cleaning the ancient road was a big project carried out by the municipality. “This is not only a road cleaning. It is as important as the excavations in the region. Because there are necropolises on the side of this road, they will come to light thanks to the cleaning work.”