Triumphal Arch in Anavarza restored

Restoration work has been completed in the gate of the ancient city of Anavarza (Greek Anazarbus), one of the most important settlements in Anatolia on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List.

Credit: AA

The gate was built in memory of the victory of the Romans against the Persians in the 3rd century and is called the 'Triumphal Arch'. With the recent restoration work, the arch has gained its former glory.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, Çukurova University archaeology department member and the scientific consultant to the excavations, Fatih Gülşen said that the restoration work in the gate was initiated in 2018.

Credit: AA

He said that the ground studies of the gate were carried out in the first stage and, following the reinforcement of the ground, they started the restoration work in the 28-metre-long, 5.40-metre-wide and 14-metre-high gate.

“The ancient city of Anavarza, located in the southern province of Adana, is noted for its theatre, amphitheatre, stadium and 2,700-metre-long and 34-metre-wide colonnade street. The gate called ‘Triumphal Arch,’ built in memory of the victory of the Romans in the ancient city against the Persians in the 3rd century, is one of the most important elements of this place."

"The Triumphal Arch, consisting of three arches, eight legs and six columns and located at the starting point of the world’s first double road, is one of the largest monumental city gates in Anatolia. We restored the stones on the gate, which were in bad condition and posed danger. We replaced the broken stones with the new ones,” he said.

After the Triumphal Arch, excavation and restoration works will start on a 200-metre section of the colonnade street, Gülşen said.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [February 03, 2020]



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