History and archaeology / Aqueduct and cistern
Vespasian Titus Tunnel
Samandağ, Hatay
A Roman-period tunnel carved into the rock to protect the harbor of Seleucia Pieria from flood waters; it came through the earthquake undamaged and is open to visitors.
Safety warning
Its story
The tunnel is a huge water diversion structure begun in the time of Emperor Vespasian and completed in the time of his son Titus. It was cut through the rock to divert the flood waters coming down from the mountain away from the harbor, and it is said that prisoners were made to work on its construction. The tunnel sections of the channel, about 1.4 kilometers long, can be walked through. Unaffected by the earthquakes, like the Beşikli Cave right beside it, the structure received tens of thousands of visitors in 2025.
Key facts
- Length
- About 1.4 km (tunnel and channel)
- Period
- Roman, 1st century
- Status
- Came through the earthquake undamaged; open to visitors.
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Hiking
- Traveling with kids
Location
36.12142, 35.92719
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
Reviews
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vespasianus_Titus_Tunnel | https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/gezi/depremde-bile-hasar-almayan-titus-tuneli-ve-besikli-magara-2184926 | https://www.milliyet.com.tr/galeri/bin-esir-yapti-40-bin-kisi-ziyaret-etti-turkiyede-gecmise-acilan-kapi-7462026 | https://kulturenvanteri.com/yer/vespasianus-titus-tuneli/