Mersin is a city with long beaches and charming entrances with the rise of the Taurus Mountains directly behind it. Mersin is one of the important ports of the Mediterranean and a center for maritime trade, as was the case in ancient times.
The plains of this sun-kissed city are full of some of the best lemon and orange groves in Turkey, and countless vineyards roam the low mountain slopes.
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The history of the city of Mersin for human habitation
The story of humankind began a long time ago in Mersin. The Kokurova Plain, one of the best naturally irrigated and fertile areas in the Mediterranean basin, was the site of one of the first settlements where people learned how the Earth worked, and more than that, it was There are forests behind this great plain that is suitable for agriculture. The first settlements in this area, known in ancient times as Cilicia, date back to prehistoric times.
Mersin (the ancient Zevrium) occupies a site of a very ancient city known as the Hittite Kiswatna, and in Yumukatepe Tumulus, 3 km west of the city, excavations have discovered numerous successive settlements dating back to 6000 BC and the Neolithic period, and not There are still many civilizations all over Mersin, but most of them are Romen, Byzantine and Turkish eras.
Mersin is a center of maritime trade as was the case in ancient times
– Eleven kilometers west of Mersin can be found a row of Corinthian columns that were once lined on the main street of Franschhir (ancient Pompeolis and Soloy), founded by the Rhodians in 700 BC, in Candelidan ruins of ancient Kanytelis, with tombs resembling small temples, and Churches and sarcophagi, dating back to Romen and Byzantine times, the city and its effects can be found on the sides of the deep chasm.
– Kızkalesi, 50 km southwest of Mersin, is a beautiful province with beautiful sandy beaches, motels and camp sites. It is also home to the ancient city of Korykos. The 12th-century Koricos Castle on the beach faces another castle which is Kizkales (pristine castle), located on A small island 200 meters from the beach.
Outside Kızkalesi, on the bay lined with fish restaurants in the small fishing village Narlıkuyu, a Romen mosaic known as Three Graces can be found. Moreover on the bottom of the valley is a natural grotto, 275m by 125m in size, known as Cennet (sky), and there is also a deep chasm (50-75m wide and 80-120m deep) called Cehennem (hell).
In the so-called Vale of Heaven, there are temple ruins that turned into a Christian church in the fifth century. Nearby, there is a deep Narlıkuyu Cave full of shocks, stalactites, and calcium carbonate, with stairs carved by the Romens.
It is reported that the moist air of the cave helps those suffering from respiratory diseases. East of Mersin, on the edge of the fertile Cukurova plain, is Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul and once the capital. Among the many ancient cities of Mersin, Cilician Seleucia, Demircili (Imbriogon), Uzuncaburç (Diocaesarea), Ura (Olba) and Anamur (Anamorium) are the most important. In each of these ancient settlements, visitors have an opportunity to see historical structures such as temples, bridges, and ancient theaters dating back thousands of years.
The beaches of Mersin
Besides its historical and cultural wealth, Mersin enchants visitors with its natural beauty and excellent beaches, Ovacık, 44 km west of Taşucu, is a quiet place where the Fisherman’s Wharf and Beachfront is famous for.
The Ovacık Peninsula (ancient Cavaliere) is one of Turkey’s natural landmarks, and is an ideal area for diving. Sailboats surrounding to the west of Ovacık feature clear signs, ensuring the safety of yachts along this stunning coastline.
– The coastal road that clings to the mountain slopes clad with steep pine trees to the sea, and provides stunning views of the slopes, bays and clear Mediterranean waters. Bozize is located 36 km west of Aydincek province, a holiday center with clean and spacious camping sites along its vast beaches.
Anamur Province is located between the mountains, surrounded by banana plantations. Set on terraces over the sea, it is ideal for climbing to the summit overlooking one of the cleanest and largest coastlines in Turkey.
