The history of the Mersin region (Cilicia province) begins in the 7th millennium BC. e. In the 2nd millennium BC. e. The province was part of the Hittite kingdom called Cilicia. In 102 BC. e. Cilicia was conquered by Rome. From 84 BC e. was part of the Armenian Empire of Tigran the Great. In the Middle Ages it was the object of struggle between Byzantium, Arabs and Seljuks. From 1080 to 1375, the Cilician Armenian state existed in Cilicia, which was later captured by the Mamluks. In 1515 it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.
Ancient writers praised the fertility of the Cilician Plain, which produced grapes, sesame seeds, millet, wheat and barley in abundance. The goats of Cilicia were also famous - probably of the same breed as the Angora. The province produced a lot of saffron, good raisin wine, the best hyssop, and pomegranate apples. Currently, Mersin is the main agricultural region of Turkey.
It has one of the greatest historical heritages in the world. The Mersin region has hundreds of fortresses, palaces, temples, aqueducts, bas-reliefs, amphitheaters, baths, thousands of dwellings, tombs, and burials. Most architectural monuments remain virtually undestroyed for centuries.
Here you can see the ruins of the ancient cities of Pompeipolis, Tarsos (a large city compared to Babylon), Neopolis (at one time it was a city with a million population, on a par with Athens and Rome), Krikos, Kylindria, Seleucia and Anemurion; Cleopatra's Gate (where Cleopatra met Mark Antony); fortresses of Anamur, Meydanjik, Kyz, Mut, Silifke; Alahan Monastery, Hogya Tekla Basilica; settlements of Uzundzhaburch, Akkale, Gozlyukule; Tarsus Mosque, Lal Agha Mosque; Museums of mosaics from the cities of Erdemli, Silifki, Tarsus and Narlikuyu, as well as the legendary mosaic “The Three Graces”.
It will take several months to examine all the architectural monuments in Mersin. The main architectural monuments are indicated by brown road signs. There are guidebooks in Turkish, English and German.
