Mersin is a province in southern Turkey, on the Mediterranean coast between Antalya and Adana. The provincial capital is the city of Mersin and the other major town is Tarsus, birthplace of St Paul.
Cultural and Religious Tourism:
Mersin is an incredible cultural melting pot. Saint Paulus, the first Apostle of Christ, was born in Tarsus which is 25 km to Mersin. Tarsus has inherited a cultural heritage accumulated in 6 thousand years. Archaeological excavations carried out in Yumuktepe tumulus, located at the center of Mersin, have shown that the city was first built 9 thousand years ago. Silifke city, founded by Selefkos Nikator, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great, is preparing for its celebrating its 2300th anniversary. Around 100 ancient cities scattered around Silifke feature the unique heritage of the Greek, Roman and Byzantian civilizations which we can discover together. In addition to these, Antakya, the city of Saint Pierre where you can reach after a 3-hour drive, and Cappadocia, the city of earth pillars in a 4-hour driving distance, are among other tourist attractions which should not be missed.
The symposium's theme is formed in tandem with the European Green Deal 2050 objectives; it is aimed to enhance supply chain and logistics processes with fairer, more inclusive, sustainable, and environmentally friendly strategies. Furthermore, it is intended to debate the priorities for efficient resource use in accordance with the circular economy, as well as to provide research and solution recommendations within this framework.
Ecological Tourism:
Silifke Goksu Delta and Tarsus Berdan River Salt Lake Delta are wetlands which are protected under international agreements. If you are interested in these bird heavens and turtle breeding places you can join a photo safari at any time suiting to your travel plans.
Caves of Heaven-Hell:
This is a large pit which came into being when the ceiling collapsed as a result of chemical erosion caused by an underground creek. It is said that the cave which is located at the bottom of the initial subsidence and is one of these natural wonders known as the “Corycian Caves” in the ancient ages was the home of the Monster Typhon. At the entrance of the cave, there is a small church which a pious man named Paulus caused to be built. One goes down the subsidence of Heaven by a stair of 452 steps each of which is quite wide. There are 300 steps to the church. After the church, one hears the sound of a mythological underground creek at the point where the cave ends. The pit of Hell which is 75 metres ahead of the subsidence of Heaven came into being in a similar way. The pit of Hell looks awe-inspiring. Rumour has it that sinners and criminals were thrown into this pit in the past. It is recounted that Typhon, who was “the giant of giants” in mythology and who destroyed every place through which he went, was confined here. The Cave of Dilek and Asthma which is located 18 metres under the ground is in the vicinity.
Kanlıdivane:
It is 3 km ahead of the road that turns right at the 45th kilometre of the Mersin-Silifke highway. The city, which was called Carytelis in the Ancient Age, is situated around a large swallow, that is, a wide and deep subsidence. In Kanlıdivane which contains ruins of a temple, church, cistern and a town dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, there is also a Hellenistic tower built in the second century B.C. When one goes down into the swallow through ancient stairs, one sees figures of women and men carved on the rock on the right-hand side. It is said that, at the time of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II, criminals were thrown into this swallow in which there were wild animals.
Corycus Ruins and Maiden Castle:
Located 23 km west of Erdemli and by the sea. This city, which became lively starting in the fourth century B.C. and was surrounded by walls, witnessed the Roman, Byzantine, Iusignan and Karamanoğulları periods. Maiden Castle was built to protect the ancient city of Korykos. The strong stonework of the Castle, a subject of legends, is quite impressive. The Castle was repaired by Karamanoğlu İbrahim Bey.