Mersin is one of the largest port cities in the eastern Mediterranean region. Throughout the province we can admire a combination of historical heritage, cultural heritage and natural beauty. Mersin has a lot to offer tourists – blue sea with a very long coastline, sandy beaches, Taurus Mountains, wonderful monuments and delicious cuisine.
Mersin is a city in southern Turkey, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of Mersin Province and has a large commercial and passenger port.
Maiden’s Castle (Kızkalesi)
Beautiful Maiden’s Castle (Kızkalesi) – located on a small island 600 meters from the shore and is the main symbol of the city. The construction of the castle dates back to the 4th century BC. The building was included on the UNESCO Information List of World Heritage Sites. According to legend, the king built the castle in the middle of the sea to save his daughter, who was predicted by an oracle that she would die from a snake bite. Despite his efforts, one day a snake entered the fortress in the basket with grapes and bit the princess.
Mersin Museum of Archeology
Mersin Museum is the main museum of Mersin, Turkey. It is operated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. However after establishing a new museum, i.e., Mersin Archaeological Museum most of the exhibits were moved to the new museum.
The stone findings such as pithoses and steles are exhibited in the yard. The museum has two floors. In the ground floor there are two exhibition halls. In the first hall, stelae and amphorae of the Roman period are exhibited. The terracota tombs are from Soli. Various pottery and handicrafts as well as metal ormanets of the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age are displayed in the second hall. Most of these are the findings in Yumuktepe and Gözlükule sites. The third hall on the upper floor is reserved for the ethnographic items of Turkmen culture.
Cennet ve Cehennem
The Coryk Caves: Cennet ve Cehennem (Heaven and Hell) owes its existence to an underground river that also flows underground into the Mediterranean near Narlikuyu. It formed a cave system in the karst, the ceiling of which collapsed at some point and thus formed the two dolines.
Heaven – The southern, larger of the two caves, Cennet, consists of a cauldron about 100 m wide and 200 m long. It is more than 100 m deep and over 290 steps to walk on.
Hell – 100 m further north lies Cehennem, a 128 m deep, almost round boiler with a diameter of about 50 m. It is not accessible due to the vertical, partially overhanging walls; woodland can be seen on the ground.
Aynaligol Cave (Gilindire)
Gilindire Cave, also known as Aynalıgöl Cave, is a cave in Aydıncık, Mersin. It was discovered by a shepherd in 1999. Gilindire was the former name of the town of Aydıncık until 1965. Gilindire Cave is located approximately 7.5 km (4.7 mi) southeast of Sancak Point and Kurtini Creek in Aydıncık District, part of Mersin Province. Its entrance overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, and in front of the cave lies a small village. The cave can be reached by sea, a 1+1⁄2-hour boat ride from Aydıncık, or by land, a 15-minute walk from the Antalya-Mersin highway. Steel stairs lead from the top to the cave entrance.
Yumuktepe
Located in Mersin Province, Yumuktepe – extremely important archaeological site, has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic era. Moreover, it is the home of olives and figs in the Mediterranean basin and one of the first regions in the world where agriculture developed. A rich collection of Yumuktepe artifacts can be found at the Mersin Archaeological Museum.
Mamure Castle
Mamure Kalesi is a medieval castle located in one of the popular resorts of the Turkish Riviera – Anamur, more precisely in the nearby village of Bozdogan. The history of the castle is related to the Armenian State. He is credited with building it. The fortress was built in the 4th century AD. The main purpose of this fortress was to protect the settlement against pirate raids from the Byzantine Empire.It has also been included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
Mersin Soli Sahili
Mersin Soli Sahili is a great place for a walk along the sea. If we want to feel sea atmosphere, look at the waves crashing on the rocks, and also for running or other sports. The beige line is really long.
Soli Beach
Soli Plaj is a popular beach located in the Mezitli district of Mersin. The district is known for its skyscrapers and modern architecture that stretch along the Mediterranean coast. However, it is the clean beaches with clear blue water that attract visitors, especially during the holiday months. Despite the presence of rocks in the water, the beach is well maintained and clean, providing a pleasant environment for visitors. It is a popular place and known for its natural beauty. The beach offers several facilities for visitors, such as sun lounger and umbrella rentals, restaurants, paid showers, changing rooms and toilets. Entrance to Soli Plaj is free as it is a public beach.
Ulu Cami
Ulu Cami – Great Mosque of Mersin is a place of worship located in the center of the Akdeniz district of Mersin. During the reign of Abdulhamid, under the leadership of Abdülkadir Seydavi, a building called the New Mosque was constructed in the Customs Square, where the Grand Mosque is today. In the late 1970s, this mosque was demolished and the Ulu Mosque was built in its place.
Atatürk Parkı
Atatürk Park, located in the heart of the city of Mersin , is an oasis of greenery and an ideal, peaceful place. The park is known to residents as a place of relaxation and recreation. The park, spread over a large area, is characterized by lush vegetation and carefully designed landscape. It is worth going here for a walk, jogging, or other sports, etc. Atatürk Park is also equipped with playgrounds for children, and benches for resting, that is a perfect place for families with children.
