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Sobesos is an ancient Roman outpost in Cappadocia. Its ruins lie south of Ürgüp near the village of Şahinefendi.

Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Sobesos

 

Visiting Sobesos

Admission to Sobesos is free (as of April 2024). There’s a path through the site and no information. It’s an active archaeological site, but excavations only take place every few years due to lack of funding. Most of what’s seen was uncovered during a three-year excavation. Visit the official website for more information.


 

History of Sobesos

Sobesos was discovered by accident in 2002. One story claims it was treasure hunters who stumbled upon it, while another says it was the farmer who owned the land. The city dates back to the 4th century and its boundaries have not yet been determined. Another interesting fact is that historians have always known that early Christians in Cappadocia were hiding from Roman soldiers, but Sobesos is the first and only evidence of a Roman settlement in the region.

 

Agora

The first section seen on the the path through Sobesos is the agora. This is where everyday citizens would come to trade for basic goods like food and clothing.

Agora at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Agora
Agora
Agora

 

Bath

Next to the agora was a large Roman bath complex. It had a hypocaust heating system under the floor.

Bath at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Bath


 

Council Chamber

The covered section at the end of the path protects the most important finds at Sobesos. It consists of the council chamber, or bouleuterion, which was a 400 square meter structure with 3 rooms.

Council chamber
Council chamber
Council chamber
Council chamber

The first room contains a grave covered by a stone lid with a cross. Underneath that lid is another lid which prevented bad odors from seeping out. When archaeologists opened the grave, they found the skeleton of a man wrapped in a shroud with his hands positioned on his belly. They took samples of the bones and left the skeleton in the grave.

Grave in the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Grave

The second room in the council chamber contains a beautiful mosaic with meander patterns, swastikas, and crosses. The mosaic is in excellent condition and rivals some of the best I’ve seen in Turkey.

Mosaic in the second room in the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Mosaic in the second room
Detail on the mosaic in the second room of the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Detail on the mosaic
Detail on the mosaic in the second room of the council chamber
Detail on the mosaic

The main room of the council chamber was the largest room. It was supported by columns and also contains mosaics on the floor.

Main room of the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Main room
Mosaic in the main room of the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Mosaic in the main room
Detail on the mosaic in the main room of the council chamber
Detail on the mosaic
Mosaic in the main room of the council chamber
Mosaic in the main room

 

Chapel in the Council Chamber

A small Byzantine chapel was built directly on top of some of the mosaics in the main room of the council chamber.

Chapel in the council chamber at Sobesos
Chapel
Chapel in the council chamber at Sobesos
Chapel
Looking into the chapel in the council chamber
Looking into the chapel

The chapel was constructed out of rough stones and materials recycled from the main room. It dates to the middle of the 6th century.

Chapel in the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Chapel
Apse of the chapel in the council chamber at Sobesos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Apse
Holy water font
Holy water font


 

Cemetery

Just south of the council chamber is a small cemetery. It consists of several graves with stone lids scattered outside the building.

Cemetery
Cemetery
Tombstone
Tombstone

 

Another Chapel?

Finally, another structure sits next to the cemetery. A guide on my first visit told me it was another chapel.

Side view of a possible chapel
Side view of a possible chapel
Possible chapel
Possible chapel
Possible chapel
Possible chapel
View from the south of a possible chapel at Sobesos
View from the south

 

Map with Sobesos

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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