Süleyman Tower

Süleyman Tower, locally known as Süleyman Kulesi, lies west of the town of Yumurtalık, in the province of Adana in Turkey.

Süleyman Tower was built in the first half of the 16th century by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during a building campaign that also rebuilt Ayas Castle in the nearby Yumurtalık village. The castle and village were to serve as a minor base for his fleet, with the watchtower looking out for dangers sailing in from a western direction.

The masonry of the tower is made entirely from recycled stones coming from the ruins of the classical Greek city Aegea which once occupied the site of present Yumurtalık. Column drums, which are used as headers, are found throughout the construction. The tower has 3 floors and only one entrance at ground level. Its 3rd floor, an open terrace with battlements, may have accommodated small cannons.

At present Süleyman Tower can freely be visited, although only externally. It is situated in a disused little seaside park. In the low cliffs under the tower are several rooms cut out of the rock.

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