The Water Supply and Distribution System of St. Thecla Pilgrimage Site (Ayatekla/Meryemlik)

Almaç U., Sayan M.

24th International Congress of Byzantine Studies, Venice, Italy, 22 - 27 August 2022, pp.9

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • Doi Number: 10.30687/978-88-6969-634-3
  • City: Venice
  • Country: Italy
  • Page Numbers: pp.9
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Ayatekla (Meryemlik) is located about 2 km to the South of Silifke, Turkey. Founded in the Early Christian period, the site developed as a pilgrimage complex. A large number of buildings related to the water supply and distribution system of the settlement such as reservoirs, cisterns, and a long-distance open channel aqueduct still stand in place today. Through the surveys carried out in the past years, architectural documentation of these constructions has been almost completed. This study presents the current state of these structures and interprets the building practices of water structures built in this region in Late Antiquity.