Throughout its thousands of years of history, Adana has accumulated the traces of countless civilizations, cultures, and people; it is a remarkable land where every era has left a part of itself behind. Today, rising upon this immense historical heritage, Adana continues to bring the past and the present together within the same story.
To understand Çukurova is, in many ways, to experience the richness of Adana’s fertile lands.
Stretching from the foothills of the Taurus Mountains to the shores of the Mediterranean, Çukurova has attracted people for centuries with its fertile plains, rivers, highlands, and distinctive warm climate. Crossed by routes leading from the heart of Anatolia to the Mediterranean through the Gülek Pass and other natural passages, these ancient lands have been more than simply a stopping point for those passing through; they have also become a home for those who chose to settle, produce, and build new lives.
The waters carried into the life of the city by the Seyhan and Ceyhan Rivers have given life to the story of this land, while the fertility of the plain has shaped the very character of Adana. Here, natural beauty is not merely part of the landscape; it is an essential part of the way of life.
Adana and Çukurova bear the traces of a long historical journey, extending from the Luwian and Arzawan communities to the Hittites, from the influence of Kue and Assyria to the Kingdom of Cilicia, from the Persians and the Hellenistic world to the Roman and Byzantine eras, and from Islamic civilizations to the Seljuks and the Ottoman Empire. Each civilization added a new layer to the cultural fabric of this land, creating a rich heritage that continues to reveal new stories to those who explore it.
The city’s name and identity also carry traces of this long journey. Known by different names throughout the centuries, Adana gradually evolved into the city it is today without ever losing its connection to its past. Every building, every stone, every tradition, and even every flavor that finds its way to the table is part of this long and remarkable story.
But Adana is more than history.
Adana is also a land of love, migration, nature, and freedom, expressed through the verses of Karacaoğlan and Dadaloğlu. Its fertile lands take on new meaning in the world of Yaşar Kemal, who portrayed the people and nature of Çukurova with extraordinary depth, and in the stories of labor and everyday life told by Orhan Kemal. In the poetry of Arif Nihat Asya, known as the “Poet of the Flag,” Adana gains another dimension; while in the cinema of Yılmaz Güney, the “Ugly King,” the city reveals an entirely different face.
This is why exploring Adana is not simply about visiting historical landmarks. It is about coming face to face with the richness of this ancient land.
It is about listening to the rhythm of the hammers echoing through Kazancılar Bazaar, pausing in the shade of a historic landmark such as the Great Clock Tower, watching the water flow beneath Taşköprü along the banks of the Seyhan, tasting the abundance of Çukurova at the table, and looking out toward the Taurus Mountains. Sometimes, it means sensing the character of Adana in the smoke rising from a spicy kebab, sometimes in the fragrance of an orange grove, and sometimes in the warmth of a summer evening.
This is where Şehri Saray Hotel opens its doors as a welcoming place to stay for guests who wish to discover the rich story of Adana.
As you step outside our hotel and walk along the streets of Adana, you encounter more than just a city; you encounter the traces of thousands of years of culture, craftsmanship, production, and life. Along this journey from Adana to Çukurova, and from history to the present, every stop tells a different story.
To look out over Adana from the windows of Şehri Saray Hotel is to begin discovering the small details of a vast and remarkable land.
Discover Adana.
Listen to the story of Çukurova.
Become a part of this story at Şehri Saray Hotel.
