Tarsus… The ancient city, whose streets always open to the eternity of history, and which harbors the traces of experiences in every step you take… As one of the first settlements in Anatolia, its history stretching back eight thousand years from the middle of Çukurova… Poison for the wicked, healing for the good, and making the world more livable. The lands where the Legend of Şahmeran was born, which means wisdom for those who will make it a place… Tarsus; According to some, it was named after the city of Parthenia, which was founded by the river god Cydnos, inspired by the name of his son, and according to others, from the Latin word "Tarsos", meaning the sole of the foot, based on the fact that Pegasus lost his way in the Cilician plain and injured his foot. Tarsha in Hittite tablets, Tarzi in Assyrian sources, Tarsos in Greek sources; It is also referred to as Tersîs and Tarsus in Arab and Ottoman sources.  
Tarsus, which has the distinction of being the gate of Cilicia, dates back to 8 thousand years ago. Tarsus, which is known to be one of the first settlements in Anatolia with the excavations carried out in the Göztepe Mound, is home to a rich culture and firsts. Donuktaş Shrine, one of the largest temples of Antiquity, is the cave of the 'Ashab-ı Kehf', who opposes paganism and hid in a cave with his dogs and is rumored to have slept there for 300 years, Hz. The office and mosque of Bilal-i Habeshi, the first muezzin of the Prophet, and the Maqam Mosque, where the tomb of Prophet Daniel is located, are also in the heart of these lands.     This city, where St. Paul, one of the writers of the Bible, was born and lived, hosts hundreds of visitors every year with St. Paul Church, which is considered a place of pilgrimage by Christians, and St. According to a rumor of Lokman Hekim, who is known for the elixir of immortality, Cemşab; According to the narratives of the Torah, Hz. The tombs of the first prophet Set, the third child of Adam, born in the world, and the Abbasid Caliph Me'mun are also in Tarsus.  
Turks, who came to make Anatolia their home by taking Manzikert as their door, conquered Tarsus by entering through the Cleopatra gate in 1082 under the leadership of Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Şah, one of the veterans of the era of conquest, in the same manner. Then by sprinkling freckled domes; He builds mosques, baths, bridges, tombs, covered bazaars, castles and mansions and revives Tarsus. Established on fertile lands brought to life by the Cydnus Stream (Berdan, Tarsus Stream), this city has been an important trade center since the past. The Kırk Kaşık Bedesteni, which attracts us with its 'incense' and 'boiling' scents, was an important resting point on the route of the merchant trains.  
In the middle of the city, there are the ruins of a Roman bath and the navel stone and the Sahmeran Bath, which is believed to have reddish colors on the inner walls, which is believed to come from the blood of Şahmeran. Traces witnessing history continue along the streets: While it informs about its geographical value with the Cleopatra Gate, where the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra met with the Roman General Antonius, it reminds us of our glorious history with the Nusret Mine Ship, which buried the enemy's floating fortresses one by one during the Dardanelles War. The Historical Tarsus Houses, surrounded by the life overflowing from its courtyard, carry the traces of countless memories with their cobbled streets.  
Tarsus is the homeland of rich, patriotic people. During the War of Independence, it is the hometown of Rasim Bey, who was given the surname "Dokur" for this reason, who kept his factory running nonstop in order to meet the needs of the soldiers fighting on the western front and stated that he would not receive a penny in return. Tarsus is a city that makes life easier in every season with its 'Waterfall' where you can relieve your tiredness with the abundance, sound and coolness of its water while sipping your Tarsusi coffee, its plateaus that allow you to experience all four seasons in one day, and its fertile lands with calloused hands.  
The warmth of the Mediterranean people in its streets, its large stone-walled mansions that defy centuries, the Taşkuyu Cave, one of the most beautiful examples of dripstone caves, and its unique flavors blended with the influence of different cultures (fennel-scented kabobs, porridge, pastries, celery, hazelnut lahmacun, hummus...) It offers a view. Besides this rich mosaic, Tarsus is also known as a city of culture and education. The world's first geographer, Philosopher Strabo (64 BC - 24 AD); states that many philosophers, linguists and poets live in Tarsus, and that Tarsus is a city of culture and universities as well as being a commercial city.  
The light of knowledge emanating from the Kubat Pasha Madrasa in Tarsus, which came under Ottoman rule in 1571, inspired many artisans, statesmen and thinkers and has reached today by enlightening many generations. The cities where universities are located, which determine the spatial transformation in the cities they are located in, both economically and socially, are described as "University City". Tarsus, a city that hosts the first universities and currents of thought in its ancient history, assumed this function as of 2018 and started to shape the dynamics of the city and the region with its University.  
Tarsus University; It is an innovative, value-added and development-oriented university that contributes to the development and progress of humanity with quality education, original and advanced research, and produces services for the benefit of society in a respectable cooperation. “Our wing is our effort.” The vision of Tarsus University, which set out with the slogan; To be a respected world university, always in the pursuit of excellence, honored to be a member of. With its young, dynamic and qualified staff; It aims to raise individuals who are professionally equipped, who observe ethical values, who are sensitive to the problems of the country, who derive their strength from their efforts and determination.

TARSUS is an attraction center that is gradually developing with the investments made in the center of Çukurova. In the center of Çukurova region; It is one of the promising attraction centers of our country with its geographical importance, population, educational tradition, historical and touristic features, coastline, airport, logistics center. When these projects are completed, Tarsus will be a world city in every aspect and an advanced university will complete this vision.
 
The size of Tarsus If Tarsus was a province, it would be Turkey's 27th largest city. Its population is more than 54 provinces. Although it ranks 44th on a provincial basis in terms of exports, it has the potential to export more than 37 provinces. When Mersin Tarsus is evaluated together with the organized industrial zone, it is among the 30 largest cities in Turkey.
 
A mosaic where different beliefs and cultures live together in peace; It is a world city full of peace and tranquility, where cultures and beliefs that make up the cultural mosaic live together in fraternity, as in history. The history of Tarsus is long before Christ; It dates back to 10 thousand years and is home to the tombs of many prophets and the tombs of very important historical figures.
 
Tarsus is very rich in terms of the history of religions. The Eshab-i Kehf is in Tarsus. Lokman Hekim's office, Prophet Daniel's office is in Tarsus. Saint Paul lived in Tarsus and his house and the well in his garden are considered holy and visited by Christians. The scholars (muhaddis and jurists) of Tarsus are widely known in the Middle East.