Today we are going to visit one of the engineering wonders of this world that is mentioned almost nowhere. We are going to Seleucia Pieria, the harbour of Antioch and fortress on Cilicia's southern border.
Before we had the chance to leave we had to sit down for breakfast though which the hotel owner carefully prepared for us - it was like lunch four hours early!
Lush olive orchards all the way to Seleucia Pieria - Turkey is one of the world's largest olive oil producers
Once we arrived in Seleucia Pieria - ancient harbour is not totally silted - we went straight to the tunnel built by Emperor Vespasian - or better: unknown Roman slaves - to divert a local river which silted Antioch's strategically important port
Map with the old structures we went to visit
Roman inscription that celebrates the completion of the tunnel
Before we could enter the tunnel proper, we had to pass through this group of Turkish street food vendors. They prepared these delicious buns on open fire...
... and sold balsamic Pomegranate vinegar, olive oil, honey and spices. We bought some vinegar for the boat - it was as delicious as Balsamic from Modena - just a bit sweeter
Construction of the 400 m hand chiseled tunnel started under Emperor Vespasian (69-79). It was completed in the 2nd century AD by Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161)
Tunnel exit on the northern side - a small stream of fresh water still runs through the tunnel
Before returning to Iskenderun we visited the Royal Graves of Seleucia - splendid!
Back in Iskendrun, we planned to sail overnight to Cyprus. But the young officer on the custom's desk had no idea what to do. After several phone calls to Ankara he eventually stamped our passports at midnight - this part of Turkey is clearly not ready for tourism (yet).