The History of Köprülü Canyon National Park

Most visitors come to Köprülü Canyon for rafting, but the gorge has a history that goes back thousands of years. The river that carries today's rafts was once a route for armies and traders, and the mountains above it hide the ruins of a city that never fell to Alexander the Great. Here is the story behind the national park.

The Eurymedon River

In ancient times the Köprüçay was called the Eurymedon. Near its mouth, around 466 BC, an Athenian-led alliance under the general Cimon defeated a Persian army and fleet in the famous Battle of the Eurymedon. The river was also navigable for small ships up to the city of Aspendos.

Selge: The City in the Mountains

High above the canyon lie the ruins of Selge, a Pisidian city known in antiquity for its skilled soldiers and its trade in storax, an aromatic resin. Ancient writers say the city could raise a large army, and its steep location made it hard to conquer. Today you can see its theatre, stadium and agora among the houses of the village of Altınkaya.

Selge on a jeep safari

Combo tours that include a jeep safari visit the Selge area and the strange rock formations called Adam Kayalar along the mountain road.

The Roman Bridges

The canyon takes its name from its bridges, köprü meaning bridge in Turkish. The Oluk Bridge, built in the Roman period, still spans the narrowest part of the gorge and carried the ancient road to Selge. The Böğrüm Bridge, also of Roman origin, crosses a side stream nearby.

A National Park Since 1973

Köprülü Canyon was declared a national park in 1973 to protect its landscape, archaeology and forests. It is home to one of the largest natural stands of Mediterranean cypress in Türkiye, alongside Calabrian pine and cedar forests.

History meets adventure

When you raft the Köprüçay today, you travel the same river that ancient Pisidians, Romans and traders once knew. Looking up at the cliffs, it is easy to imagine why Selge stayed independent for so long.