Although not so popular as other touristic regions in Turkey, its rich history, nature, sanctuaries and clean bays makes Mersin definitely a place to be seen. Among the main places that can be seen in Mersin are Mamure Castle, Soli Pompeiopolis ancient city, Kızkalesi, Softa castle, Anamurium Ancient city, Yumuktepe Mound, Heaven-Hell Caves, Mersin Archeology Museum, Narlıkuyu Mosaic Museum, Silifke Museum, Silifke Atatürk Museum, Adam rocks, Olba ancient city, Imbriogion (Demircili) ruins, Kanlıdivane ruins, Aydıncık Aynalı lake cave, Asthma Cave, Kayacı valley, Mut Yerköprü waterfall, Tarsus Museum, Tarsus Waterfall, Seven sleepers (Eshab-ı Kehf) Cave, Tarsus Taşkuyu Cave and St. Paul Memorial Museum.
Mamure Castle
Memure Castle, located in Mersin’s Anamur district is among the largest castles in Turkey. The castle, which was home to the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Karamanogullari and Ottomans, is a medieval castle, but it has survived to the present day. The castle consists of three sections, 39 towers, reservoirs, water cisterns, mosque and bath structure outside the castle. Covering an area of 24 thousand square meters, the castle is one of the 10 largest castles in Turkey. Mamure castle which was similar to Alanya castle in appearance was restored in 1960. The artefacts found in the excavations in Mamure Castle in 1988 are exhibited in the museums in Mersin. Mamure Castle, located on Mersin-Antalya highway, is 6 km away from Anamur and transportation is provided by private vehicles.
Kızkalesi
Kızkalesi, which is one of the most visited places of Mersin, is located in Erdemli district. Kızkalesi, which is 23 km from Erdemli centre and 60 km from Mersin, is built on a small islet 650 meters from the coast. It is understood from the inscription on the castle that the castle was built by Leon I in 1199. It is possible to reach there by Mersin-Silifke buses or private car. You can swim in the castle on the island or rent a pedalo. The castle is open between 09:00 and 20:00 during the summer months and between 08:00 and 19:00 during the winter months.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Softa Castle
Softa Castle is located on a hill called Fidik, 10 km east of Bozyazı district. The castle, which has the appearance of a medieval castle with its bastions, has been used by pirates and empires since ancient times. There are similarities between the architectural structure of the castle and the architectural structure of the ancient city of Anemurium. There are water cisterns and bath ruins inside the castle walls. Facing the Mamure castle, Softa castle is believed to be connected by two ways in ancient times with Mamure Castle, either underground or through the sea. A magnificent view awaits those who visit the castle. Access to the castle is provided by private or rental vehicles, and those who want to visit should climb a steep slope.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Yumuktepe Mound
With its history dating back to 7000 thousand BC, the mound of Yamuktepe is one of the first places of agriculture in history. Because the first agriculture was done here, wheat was also grown here for the first time and bread was also made here for the first time. Among the firsts made in Yamuktepe, the first seal was used, the iron and copper were poured and processed for the first time, the olives were first grown here and the agricultural tools were used here for the first time. The tools and historical artefacts obtained during the excavations are exhibited in Mersin Museum. The mound is located 1 km north of Mersin and it can be visited free of charge.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Heaven – Hell Grabens Ruins
The caves, which are among the most visited spots, are located in Silifke district of Mersin. Grabens with depths of 70 and 128 meters were formed as a result of the collapse of the cave ceilings. It is 22 km from Silifke and 7 km from the Kızkalesi in Mersin. Museum cardholders can visit free of charge. It is open to visitors between 08:00 and 19:00 in summer and between 08:00 and 17:00 in winter.
Cennet (Heaven) Graben
The depth of the Cennet Graben is 250 meters in diameter and 70 meters in depth. On the south side of the graben floor are the entrance to the 260 m long cave and a small church at the mouth of the cave. There is an opportunity to walk up and down the 450 steps of the Cennet Graben with a great view from above. Since the floor of the cave has a slippery structure, it is recommended to wear suitable shoes when walking.
Cehennem (Hell) Graben
The graben is 75 meters north of the Heaven Graben and it was formed just like the Heaven Graben. It has a mouth diameter of 50 meters and a depth of 128 meters. There is no possibility of descending into the Cehennem Graben and it is possible to watch the magnificent view from the viewing terrace from above.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Mersin Archeology Museum
Mersin has a very rich history and has a very rich museum in terms of historical monuments. Mersin Archeology Museum has been moved to its new building in 2017 and has gained a modern structure. The museum consists of three sections and has a total area of 15 thousand square meters. A total of 2,000 artefacts are exhibited in the museum. Within the museum, there are exhibition halls, a space for children, a library, a gift shop and a cafeteria. Visitors to the museum will find themselves travelling through time in the chronological hall on the first floor of the museum.
The artefacts found in archaeological excavations in and around Mersin are exhibited here. Among the artefacts exhibited in the museum are drink containers, jugs, various vessels, terracotta, pottery, pottery, glassware, bronze artefacts, stone artefacts in the museum garden, column capitals, jugs, fossilized objects, corals, shells, sea urchins and many more. Museum cardholders can enter the museum free of charge.
Museum opening hours: 2 October – 14 April from 08:00 to 17:00 April 15 – 1 October from 09:00 to 19:00. Address: Atatürk Caddesi Kültür Merkezi Halk Evi Binası Akdeniz/Mersin
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Mersin Ataturk House Museum
The house where Atatürk and his wife Latife stayed during their visit to Mersin on January 20, 1925, is used as a museum. The house, which is located on Atatürk Street, has been used as a museum since October 12, 1982. The museum has two floors and exhibits documents, photographs and special belongings of Atatürk. It is visited free of charge between 09:00 and 19:00 in summer and between 09:00 and 17:00 in winter. Address: Çankaya Neighborhood / Atatürk Street 4724 Street Phone: 0324 237 55 71
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Narlikuyu Mosaic Museum
The museum, which was created as a result of enclosing the mosaics belonging to ancient times, is located in Narlıkuyu.Geometric shapes, bird motifs, floral motifs, Aglaia, Thalia and Euphrosine, the daughters of Zeus, the chief god of the ancient period are painted on the mosaics of black, white and yellow stones.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Silifke Museum
Between 1939 and 1940, the museum began to work with the collection of artefacts found in and around Silifke. On August 2, 1973, the current 2-storey building with garden began to serve as a museum. Archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from 1200 BC until the present day are exhibited in the museum. The museum is open every day except Mondays and museum cardholders can visit free of charge.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Silifke Atatürk Museum
The house where Atatürk stayed during his first visit to Silifke on January 27, 1925, was turned into a museum. In the museum, all the belongings, documents, visit photographs, newspaper news and many belongings of Atatürk are exhibited. It can be visited free of charge between 08:00 and 19:00 in summer and between 08:00 and 17:00 in winter. Address: Saray Neighborhood 109 St.No: 9 / Silifke
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Aydıncık Aynalı Lake Cave
The cave, which is 8 km away from the Aydıncık district of Mersin, takes its name from the lake inside the cave. It is also known as Gilindere cave due to the ancient city of Gilindere. The mouth of the cave faces the sea and is 46 meters high. The cave has a width of up to 100 meters and the ceiling height is 18 meters and the cave’s total length is 555 meters. The lake has a depth of 47 meters and width of the salon that lake is in, is between 18 and 30 meters and it has a length of 140 meters and ceiling height is between 35 and 40 meters. As the stalagmites, stalactites columns, walls and dripstone columns formed in the cave divide the cave into many halls and rooms, the cave has a roundabout structure. Water dripping from the ceiling during rainy periods ensures that the stalactites remain alive and shaping continues in the cave. The cave, which is 170 km away from Mersin, is visited every day between 08:00 and 17:00 with a fee and the museum does not pass a card.
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Asthma Cave
Asthma Cave, located 300 meters north-west of the Cennet-Cehennem Grabens, is composed of galleries with a total length of 200 meters.The stalagmites and stalactites formed by the accumulation of the minerals growing in the cave fascinate the visitors. Humidity in the cave, which is frequently visited by asthma patients, is 85% in summer and 95% in winter. The entrance to the cave with an iron staircase is paid and museum cardholders can visit for free. Visiting hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th from 08:00 to 16:45.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Kayacı Valley (Erdemli)
Kayacı valley is located in Limonlu town of Erdemli district of Mersin province. The valley, which is 45 kilometres away from Mersin, awaits its visitors with its beauties hidden in greens. There are fishing, rock climbing, camping, cycling routes, hiking and picnic areas in the valley where the 130 km long Limonlu Stream passes. It is one of the most visited places, especially in the summer heat. Access to the Kayacı valley which is 12 km away from Limonlu town is provided by private vehicles and the entrance is free.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Mut Yerköprü Waterfall
The waterfall, which is one of the must-see points in Mersin, is located in Yerköprü National Park of Mut district. Transportation to the waterfall, which is 190 km away from the city centre of Mersin, is provided by a private vehicle and after a short walk, you can reach the waterfall. The waterfall is pouring from a height of 29 meters and it is forbidden to swim or enter the water in the area where the waterfall is falling. Entrance to the national park is chargeable and there are no facilities to meet the need for food and beverage.
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