{"id":32097,"date":"2022-04-25T14:07:17","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T11:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/one-city-three-days-mersin\/"},"modified":"2022-06-24T14:34:09","modified_gmt":"2022-06-24T11:34:09","slug":"one-city-three-days-mersin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/one-city-three-days-mersin\/","title":{"rendered":"One city, three days: Mersin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Let\u2019s go: History of Mersin<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Uzuncabur\u00e7,
Uzuncabur\u00e7 ancient city ruins, Mersin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mersin, called Cilicia in antiquity, is known to have been an important settlement even in prehistory; excavations conducted in the area indicate that the earliest settlements date to 6300 BC. The territory was ruled successively by the Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, and Byzantines and, later, by the Seljuks, Karamanids and Ramadanids, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mersin came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century. The region was occupied by Allied Forces during the First World War but recaptured by Turkish forces. Mersin joined the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye in 1922. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best routes: Places to visit in Mersin<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Maiden
Maiden Castle, Mersin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Get ready to explore \u2013 Mersin has so many places to visit! Some places are in the Mersin city center and relatively easy to access. For sights outside of the city, we recommend using a private vehicle, renting a car or hiring a taxi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it is difficult to see Mersin thoroughly within a couple of days, we\u2019ve listed some of the top destinations in and around the city. \nA note on the weather in Mersin. The city is hot and humid in the summer months, but the weather is quite mild during the rest of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mersin Centre<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mersin
Panoramic view of Mersin city center. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll start with the city center. Our first suggestion is the Mersin Marina. The Marina, T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s largest in the Eastern Mediterranean, is among the city\u2019s most beautiful spaces, featuring restaurants, cafes, nightlife, a spa, and sports centers, in addition to boat berths. The Mersin Marina is open seven days a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another location in the city center is the Saint Antuan Latin Catholic Church, on Uray Street. Guided tours of this striking structure are offered throughout the week between 09.00 and 17.00. The Mersin City Cemetery is another interesting destination, as Muslims, Christians and Jews are buried here \u2013 one of the few cemeteries where this is the case. The cemetery is considered a symbol of Mersin\u2019s peaceful and tolerant spirit. The tomb of the famous Turkish singer Bergen is also here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Historical Sites in Mersin <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mersin
Mersin Uzuncabur\u00e7 Ancient City. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mersin and its surrounding area offer visitors a journey through time. Keep reading to discover some of these historical sites! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yumuktepe Tumulus<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Yumuktepe Tumulus refers to the ancient settlement of Yumuktepe. Archaeological excavations of the mound revealed evidence of human inhabitation dating to 7000 BC \u2013 one of the oldest settlements in the world. It is believed Yumuktepe was among the first regions in the world where agriculture was conducted, where the first wheat was cultivated and where the first breads were made. In addition, olive cultivation and iron and copper casting were conducted here. The ruins of a palace dating from 4500 BC were also found. The Yumuktepe Tumulus is about one kilometer from the Mersin city center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maiden Castle<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"A
Maiden Castle, Mersin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Maiden Castle \u2013 K\u0131zkalesi, in Turkish, also known as the Sea Castle, and formerly known as Corcyus \u2013 sits on an islet about nine hundred meters off the coast of the town of K\u0131zkalesi. It is about 65 kilometers from the Mersin city center and reachable via public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that the construction of the castle dates to 1199. It was utilized as a port during the Roman and Byzantine eras, and in later periods the castle served as a fortification against pirates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human Rocks<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Human
Rock-Carved Humans, Mersin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Rock-Carved Humans (Adam Kayalar, in Turkish) refer to a stone relief featuring the life-sized figures of four women, eleven men and two children. The structure also contains nine niches, as well as carvings of mountain goats and Roman-style eagles. Believed to have been erected around the third century BC, the structure is on a steep slope in the \u015eeytan Deresi Valley, in Mersin\u2019s Erdemli district. It is close to the town of K\u0131zkalesi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museums in Mersin<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While there are a number of worthwhile museums in Mersin, a good place to start is the Tarsus Museum, featuring ethnographic and archaeological exhibits related to the culture of \u00c7ukurova; called Cilicia Pedias in antiquity, it refers to a region in Southern Anatolia that includes Mersin. The Mersin Archaeological Museum offers a comprehensive view of the area\u2019s history, while the Mersin Naval Museum has exhibits on maritime culture and conflicts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Mersin Atat\u00fcrk House and Museum is a worthy destination. Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk and his wife, Latife Han\u0131m, stayed in the elegant, two-story stone villa for eleven days when they visited Mersin. Set in the city center, the house was built in 1897 and is a fine example of the period\u2019s architecture. The museum displays exhibits related to Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk and the Turkish War of Independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Beauties in Mersin<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Yerk\u00f6pr\u00fc
Yerk\u00f6pr\u00fc Waterfall, Mersin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mersin also has its share of natural beauties. Keep reading to discover our favorites! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silifke Ast\u0131m (Asthma) Cave<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the Narl\u0131kuyu neighborhood of Silifke, a famous district of Mersin, Ast\u0131m Cave allegedly has an atmosphere beneficial to asthma patients. The cave is believed to have formed during the Cenozoic Era and features curiously shaped giant stalactites and stalagmites, as well as high humidity. In addition to its health-giving qualities, the cave is considered a place to make wishes; hence it is also known as the Dilek (Wish) Cave. Visitors to the cave tie bits of cloth around the shrubs and bushes at the cave\u2019s entrance. If you visit, be aware that descent into the cave is via a steep spiral staircase. Ast\u0131m Cave is about 86 kilometers from the Mersin city center and 23 km from the Silifke district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beaches in Mersin<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"K\u0131zkalesi
K\u0131zkalesi Beach, Mersin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mersin\u2019s coast stretches 321 kilometers along the Mediterranean Sea and about 148 kilometers of this strip consists of natural sand and beaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the most popular and beautiful of these beaches is the Maiden Beach, along with Susano\u011flu Beach in the Silifke district. Also in Silifke is the relatively calm Yaprakl\u0131 Beach. Bo\u011fsak Bay, \u0130ncekum Beach and So\u011fuksu Beach in the Ayd\u0131nc\u0131k district are also worth a visit. Kazanl\u0131 Beach is close to the Mersin city center but can get crowded on the weekends. Most beaches are in the Erdemli district, which is home to the T\u00f6muk, Kocahasanl\u0131 and Aya\u015f beaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Caves of Heaven and Hell (Cennet ve Cehennem)<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Heaven
Heaven and Hell Sinkholes, Mersin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This pair of colorfully named sinkholes is about 25 kilometers from the Silifke district center. Accessed via steep stone stairs or an elevator, the Heaven cave contains the remains of a Byzantine chapel. The Hell cave is inaccessible but a glass viewing terrace has been installed. There\u2019s also a caf\u00e9 at the entrance to the sinkholes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G\u00f6ksu River<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Known as Cleadnos in antiquity, the G\u00f6ksu River is one of the most important streams flowing into the Mediterranean Sea and a habitat for more than 300 bird species. The river has wonderful views and is a popular destination for water sports such as rafting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dining in Mersin<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tantuni.
Mersin\u2019s most famous dish, tantuni. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In discussions of Mersin\u2019s culinary traditions, most Turkish people think of \u201ctantuni\u201d, which is minced meat fried in cotton oil and wrapped in lavash bread. But like most cities in T\u00fcrkiye, Mersin has a number of local specialties and delicious regional products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a short list of some local dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n