MERSIN TURKEY
12.05.2021
Mersin
Mersin has been a crossroads throughout the centuries and the meeting pointof different civilizations including the Hittites, Phrygians,Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Karamanids, Ramadanids andthe Ottoman Empire.
The findings of the excavations carried out in Yumuktepe and Gözlükule,showed that Mersin has been an important settlement centre since prehistoriceras. “Neolithic Age” has been identified as the lowest layer in Yumuktepe,located in the Mersin city centre.
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle (Kızkalesi), also known as the Sea Castle, is thesymbolic structure of Mersin coastline. With its magnificent walls preserveduntil today, the castle is located on an islet in the middle of the seain Erdemli. There are various rumours about the construction of thecastle. According to inscription found here that the castle was built by Leon Iin 1199. However, according to famous historian Herodotos, the castle’shistorical name is Korykos, and it was built by a Cypriot prince named Korykos.Strabon mentions that pirates used the castle as a shelter in the RomanPeriod. The establishment of Maiden Castle, which was dominated by theSeleucids, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Armenians, French, Karamanids andOttomans throughout the history, dates back to 4th century BCE.The castle’s distance to the shore is approximately 600 metres and the visitorscan swim to the castle or go by pedal. Maiden Castle was also included toUNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2014. There is a very common myth toldabout Kızkalesi. An oracle at the time tells the king that hisdaughter will be bitten and killed by a snake. In order to save his onlybeloved daughter, the king builds a castle in the middle of the sea and placeshis daughter there. One day, the snake hiding in a grape basket leading to thecastle, bites and kills the princess. A similar myth is told for the MaidenTower in İstanbul.
Mersin ArchaeologyMuseum
At the Mersin Archaeology Museum, visitorshave the opportunity to take a journey through history in the time tunnel onthe ground floor and watch how civilizations develop in the chronologicalexhibition hall. In addition, visitors can learn about burial customs indifferent cultures. They can also see ethnographic artefacts and a replica ofthe Huğ House found near Yumuktepe Tumulus. The museum also exhibits the richcollection of artefacts from the Yumuktepe Tumulus, the Ancient City ofSoli-Pompeipolis and Elaiussa-Sebaste.
Tarsus
Standing out with its 6000-year historical heritage, Tarsus districtof Mersin welcomes many visitors throughout the year. Tarsus, the centre of theCilician civilization, is one of the oldest cities in the world withuninterrupted settlement since its foundation. The region, almost as old ashuman history, is one of Anatolia’s most important faith centres. Tarsus isalso home to various historical monuments from many great empires andcivilizations such as Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. The Eshab-ı KehfCave (Seven Sleepers’ Cave (Yediuyurlar Mağarası), St.Paul Memorial Museum, the Tomb of Prophet Daniel, Roman Road andRoman Bath, Cleopatra Gate, Gülek Castle (Gülek Kalesi), Ulu Mosque(Ulu Cami), historical Kırkkaşık Bedesten (KırkkaşıkBedesten), the 6th century Justinian Bridge (JustinyenKöprüsü) and historical Tarsus houses are among the prominenthistorical values of Tarsus – the city that has always been a centre of attractionthroughout history.
Mausoleum of Daniel
Prophet Daniel lived during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, the 2nd Kingof Babylon (605-562 CE) and saved the Jews from Babylonian captivity with hisknowledge and prophecies. Rumour has it when the King of Babylon dreamtthat a boy from the Israelites would shake his throne, he ordered the deaths ofall Israelite boys. For this reason, when Daniel was born, hewas left in a cave at the top of the mountain to be saved from death. Daniel,who grew up under the protection of a lion and a lioness in the cave, mingledwith his tribe when he became a teenager. Daniel was invitedto Tarsus in a famine year and there was abundance when he came to the city.Therefore, Daniel didn’t leave for Babylon again. After his death, he wasburied in what is now called the Makam Mosque (Makam Cami) in Tarsus. After theexcavation in this area, the tomb was unearthed, and it was opened to visitorsas the Mausoleum of Daniel in 2014.
Eshab-ı Kehf Cave
Eshab-ı Kehf Cave(Seven Sleepers’ Cave/Yediuyurlar Cami), locatedin Tarsus, is considered a sacred place both by Muslims andChristians. According to the myth, Dacianus, a Greek ruler of Tarsuscity (around 250 BCE), warned seven young men, who agreed to worship asingle god, that they would be punished if they did not worship idols. Theseven believers fled from the tyranny of the ruler and took refuge in this cavewhere they slept for 300 years. Christians specifically memorialize the myth on7th of July each year, however the cave is open to visitorsthroughout the year.
Cleopatra Gate
The city walls built in the Byzantine period had threegates: Mountain Gate (Dağ Kapısı), Adana Gate (Adana Kapısı) and SeaGate (Deniz Kapısı). The walls of Tarsus with three very strong doors weredemolished by İbrahim Pasha of Egypt in 1835, and the only remaining gate wasthe Sea Gate remained. According to the legend, when Cleopatra, popularEgyptian queen, came to Tarsus to meet with her lover Roman General Antonius,she entered the city through the Sea Gate. For this reason, it was alsocalled Cleopatra Gate (Kleopatra Kapısı).
St. Paul MemorialMuseum and St. Paul Well
The St. Paul Church (St. Paul Kilisesi) wasbuilt between the 11th and 12th centuries BCEin the name of St. Paulus, one of the leading figures of Christianity who isthought to be originally born in Tarsus. The Church was opened tovisitors in 2001 as the St. Paul Memorial Museum after therestoration. St. Paul Well (St. Paul Kuyusu) is located in thegarden of a house considered to be the house of St. Paul, in anarea where historical Mersin houses are mostly located. With adepth of 38 metres, the water of the well never decreases in summer and winter.Christians passing through the region on their way to Jerusalem to be pilgrimsdrank from the water, which was considered sacred. The St. Paul Church and theSt. Paul Well are on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. St.Paul Church Memorial Museum and St. Paul Well whichis considered sacred by Christians, are visited as a pilgrimage destinationevery year and they constitute one of the top religious tourism destinations.
Tarsus Museum
Tarsus Museum (TarsusMüzesi) consists of Ethnography Hall and ArchaeologicalWorks Hall and exhibits Ethnographic and archaeological artefacts from theChalcolithic, Bronze and Iron Age, and Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Romanand Byzantine periods.
Tarsus Grand Mosque
Tarsus Grand Mosque(Tarsus Ulu Cami) known as Cami-i Nur,is located in the centre of Tarsus and is one of the prominentworks of Turkish-Islamic art. The mosque was built in 1579 during the Ramadanidera and its minaret is decorated with black and white marbles bearingthe characteristics of Mamluk architecture.
Anemurium AncientCity
The Anemurium Ancient City, locatedin Anamur, has hosted many civilizations throughout thehistory. The establishment date of the first settlement in Anemurium isunknown, but it is thought that the ancient city was established in the 4th centuryBCE. Throughout the history, many civilizations such as Sassanids, Persians, Anatolian Seljuks and Arabs,chose Anemurium as a settlement area. It has been an important commercial citywhere natural resources in the region were exported. Many buildings in the citystill remain intact today. Baths, theatre, and odeon are among its mostspectacular historical remains. The necropolis area is one of thebest-preserved areas in the region and there are approximately 350 graves inthe area.
Kanlıdivane
Known as Kanytella in the ancient times, Kanlıdivane isthe ancient city and sacred settlement of the Olba Dynasty founded in the 2nd centuryBCE. The city is located around 60 metres deep sinkhole accessible with ancientstairs carved on a rock. Due to the size of the sinkhole, it was thought to besacred and the city has been a religious centre throughout its history. TheByzantine Emperor Theodosius II founded a holyChristian centre in Kanlıdivane. Today, in the region, visitors can see theruins of a temple, church, cistern, necropolis and ancient houses dating backto the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ages. In Kanlıdivane, there is also aHellenistic Tower built in the 2nd century BCE. By virtue ofits acoustic quality, nowadays, some concerts and events like InternationalMersin Music Festival take place in Kanlıdivane.
Mersin Caves andSinkholes
Cennet CehennemSinkholes (Heaven and Hell Sinkholes/Cennet ve Cehennem Obruğu) in Silifke were formed by the collapse of the cave ceilings millionsof years ago. The sinkholes’ depth is respectively 70 and 128 metres. Visitorscan go down to the Cennet Sinkhole with 450 steps, but the Cehennem Sinkhole isnarrower and deeper and can be only reached with mountaineering equipment. TheCehennem Sinkhole can be viewed from the observation deck.
The formation of the Astım Cave (AstımMağarası), located in Narlıkuyu region, near the CennetCehennem Sinkholes, dates to the 3rd geological period. Itis possible to see curiously shaped giant stalactites and stalagmites formed bythe accumulation of silica minerals in the connected galleries that have atotal length of 200 metres. Since the humidity in the cave reaches up to 85percent in summer and 95 percent in winter, it is believed that the air is goodfor asthma patients.
In Aynalıgöl Cave (Aynalıgöl Mağarası),which takes its name from the lake that reflects like a mirror inside, thereare stalagmites and stalactites dating back from the Ice Age. One of the mostbeautiful caves of Türkiye, Aynalıgöl is a wonder of nature with abreath-taking view. The depth of the lake inside the cave reaches up to 47metres and the most striking feature of the lake is that the stalactites andstalagmites inside the cave continue in the lake. The 555-metre-long cave,which was formed in a period of 30 million years, is quite impressive. Aynalıgöl alsoattracts diving lovers with its yearlong temperature of 20-21°C.
Soli PompeiopolisAncient City
Soli PompeiopolisAncient City (Viranşehir), located in Mezitli,has hosted many civilizations throughout the history. It is accepted that thecity was first established by the colonists from Rhodes Island who came toAnatolia from Cyprus in the 8th and 7th centuriesCE. Soli, one of the important port cities in this period, came under the ruleof the Roman Empire in the 1st century CE. The ancient city,which has preserved its vitality in every period of the history, today welcomesphotography enthusiasts with its fascinating atmosphere.
Alahan Monastery
Alahan Monastery(Alahan Manastırı), located in Mut, wasestablished on the slope of the Taurus Mountains and it is thought to be one ofthe stops of Saint Paul and Barnabas during the spread of Christianity. Afterthe religion was officially accepted, it became a pilgrimage centre heavilyvisited by Christians between the 4th and 6th centuriesBCE. The monastery had two churches reflecting Early Christian and Byzantinearchitecture, one of which was destroyed and the other is still standing. Thischurch is visited as a museum today. The monastery also has a baptistery,bathhouse and some accommodation facilities. Alahan Monastery was included inthe UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2000.
Uzuncaburç
Uzuncaburç, which was the religious centre of the Olba Territorium inthe Hellenistic era, separated from Olba in the Roman era andbecame autonomous with the name Diokaesareia. After the Byzantineera, the Turks called it “Uzuncaburç” by giving it the name ofthe Hellenistic Tower, the symbol of the city. Today, the visitors can see someimportant monuments in the region such as Hellenistic Tower (HelenistikKule), Sütunlu Cadde (Street with Columns), City Gate (Şehir Kapısı), ZeusOlbios Temple (Zeus Olbios Tapınağı), Tyche Temple (Tyche Tapınağı), ancientgraveyard, and ancient theatre.
Mamure Castle
Mamure Castle (MamureKalesi) is one of Türkiye’s largest and most magnificentcastles located in Anamur, on the Mediterranean coastline. The castle hassurvived quite well today, and its architectural features indicates that it hashosted many different civilizations throughout the history. MamureCastle, which fascinates visitors with its 1500-year history, is on UNESCOWorld Heritage Tentative List.
Yumuktepe Tumulus
Yumuktepe Tumulus is a crucial for archaeological researchers. The history of Yumuktepe datesback to 7000 BCE and it has been inhabited continuously since the NeolithicAge. Archaeobotanical analysis revealed that the region is homeland of olivesand figs in the Mediterranean and it is one of the first regions in the worldwhere agriculture started. In addition to that, some findings indicate thatwheat was first grown in the region, and bread was made here for the firsttime. Visitors can find a rich collection of artefacts from Yumuktepe in MersinArchaeology Museum.
Adam Kayalar
Adam Kayalar (HumanRocks) is located in Şeytan Deresi Valley in Erdemli, 5km away from Kızkalesi. Adam Kayalar, which still maintains itsmystery, contains the figures of 4 women, 11 men, two children, a mountain goatand a Roman eagle in 9 niches.
Narlıkuyu MosaicMuseum
Narlıkuyu is a lovely bay about 65 kilometres away from Mersin. Asthe underground waters meet the sea in Narlıkuyu, visitors canenjoy swimming in the refreshing and clear waters of the region. Known as PortoCalamie in the Middle Ages, this settlement had a magnificent bath built in the4th century BCE. Today, only the abreuvoir and the floor mosaicremained from this bath. Narlıkuyu Mosaic Museum (Narlıkuyu MozaikMüzesi) was founded to preserve and to exhibit this precious mosaic.The mosaic depicts Zeus´s three daughters, Aglaia, Thalia andEuphrosine in geometric, local bird and flower motifs.
Aya Tekla
Aya Thekla (AyaTekla), located in Silifke and consideredas a pilgrimage centre in the early ages of Christianity. According to thelegend, Thekla was a saint who, influenced by St. Paul,devoted her life to Christianity. She survived the persecution and hid in acave. She disappeared in this cave when she was about to be killed. The cave,considered holy by Christians, became a church after the 4th century.In the cave, a bath, cistern, cemetery and walls have survived until today.
Göksu River and Delta
Göksu River (Göksu Nehri), which meets the Mediterranean in Silifke, is one of the uniquedestinations for rafting lovers with its 91-kilometre-long parkour. GöksuDelta, located at the point where Göksu River flows into the Mediterranean,has a basin of 10 thousand square kilometres and is one of the few birdmigration routes in the world. It is home to rare and endangered bird species.For this reason, the delta is a centre of attraction for birdwatchers. The rare PurpleGallinule (Porphyrio Porphyrio) bird is the symbol of theregion. Flamingos (Phoenicopterus Ruber) are also seen in thedelta. Göksu Delta is one of the main nesting areas in the Mediterranean, wheresea turtles such as Caretta Caretta and Green Turtle laytheir eggs. The Delta is also home to many endemic plants.