City of Seleukeia was founded by Seleucus I Nicator in 3rd century B.C. in the west side of the Göksu River where today’s Silifke is located. Temple in the center of Silifke from Seleucia was built in 2nd century A.D. One column of the structure in Cointhian order still stands.

There was a Roman bridge build in the 1st century instead of the modern bridge over Göksu River passing through the middle of Silifke. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was drowned in this river in 1290 A.D. during the third crusade.