Mersin Maiden's Castle Introduction and Travel Guide

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Standing proudly on a 15,000 m² island just 300 meters off the coast of Erdemli district of Mersin, Maiden’s Castle is a unique structure that has been dominated by many civilizations throughout history. First built by the Greek State dating back to the 4th century AD, the castle reached its peak during the Roman Empire. Also known as the “Sea Castle” due to its location in the middle of the Mediterranean, this castle has managed to preserve its impressive appearance to this day.

The construction of the Maiden's Castle was started by Leon I in 1199, but its completion was realized during the Kingdom of Cyprus. It provides easy access to Mersin city center, which is approximately 60 kilometers from the sea, and Erdemli district center, which is 20 kilometers away. The castle contains traces of the Roman Empire, the Ottomans, the Byzantine Empire and many other great civilizations.

The Maiden's Castle is surrounded by walls and has 8 towers. The walls were built at a time when the entrance to the castle was in the north and rubble stones were used. The building complex in the castle courtyard offers visitors a historical journey with mosaics and ancient building remains. These remains, unearthed during excavations by the Mersin Archaeology Museum, provide valuable information about how life and defense were organized in the castle.

One of the most interesting legends of Maiden's Castle is passed down from mouth to mouth among the locals. Once upon a time, this castle was built upon the birth of a girl and was cursed by a snake through a twist of fate. According to the legend, the girl would be killed by a snake when she turned 9. The father built the castle in the middle of the sea to protect his daughter, but eventually succumbed to his fate.

For those who want to visit the Maiden's Castle, boat tours organized from the town and beaches with castle views offer an unforgettable experience. Hotels and accommodation options in the region provide visitors with a comfortable stay. You can benefit from local guide services to get information about the entrance fees to the castle and to plan your visit.

To reach Kız Kalesi from Mersin city center, Silifke buses or private vehicles can be preferred. Places to visit in the vicinity include natural and historical beauties such as Adamkayalar, Narlıkuyu Mosaic Museum and Aşağı Dünya Obruğ.

For all our articles about Mersin, you can visit our Mersin Outdoor, Tourism and Travel Guide page.

You can click on the Mersin Places to Visit Map to see the places to visit in Mersin on the map and find out the distance to your location.

To get detailed information about camping and caravaning and to see all our articles, you can visit our TurkeyOutdoor Camping Guide page.

Safety Precautions in Nature Sports and Outdoor Activities

• In all outdoor activities and nature sports, safety is your primary responsibility. No article or video can replace proper practical training and personal experience.
• Especially in outdoor extreme sports, you are primarily responsible for your own personal safety. Always prioritize your personal safety and the harmony and safety of the team you are with.
• In all cases, be on the side of nature , keep the environment clean, and never harm wild animals or the nature where wildlife lives.
• While exploring natural and historical beauties, you should pay attention to some important points for your holiday to be enjoyable and safe. Before your trip, do detailed research about the region you will go to , check the weather conditions and take appropriate clothes with you. Never damage natural, historical and touristic places. Do not leave your garbage in the places you go, take your garbage back to where you came from in bags as you brought it or throw it in a garbage container.
• If you are planning a nature trip, camping or outdoor activity, be sure to pack all the necessary equipment .
• In Turkey, there are frequent bans on entering forests and some protected areas, and administrative fines are imposed on those who do not comply. You should verify current forest entry bans from the provincial Regional Forestry Directorates.
• Technically, all outdoor activities in nature require prior permission. Our advice to our readers, campers, nature walkers and those who participate in all outdoor sports is to at least call the law enforcement authorities before starting the activity and inform them about the nature activity and routes they will be doing.
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