Canytelis (Kanlıdivane)

The ancient city of Canytelis known today as Kanlıdivane, which literally means blood stained place of madness. At the centre of the site the 90 m long by 70 m wide and 60 m deep huge chasm formed the core of the ancient city. Canytelis originally was part of the ancient kingdom of Olbia and the chasm was regarded as a sacred place reserved to the cult of Zeus Olbios. The first settlement began in the holy chasm for many hundred years before Christ and then gradually extended in all directions during the following centuries. Canytelis thrived through Byzantine times as is indicated by the presence of several Byzantine churches and inscriptions. The extensive necropolis has many monumental Roman tombs.