 Girls Castle in Kızkalesi | ||
| Kızkalesi | ||
| province | Mersin | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2.000 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Kızkalesi is a city in the Mediterranean region the Turkey.
background
The city of Kızkalesi is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea and actually represents the easternmost branch of the Mediterranean coast, which is mainly used for tourism, before at the latest in Mersin the predominantly industrially used region begins. The name comes from the girl's castle lying in the sea, in which, according to legend, a sultan hid his daughter out of sheer worry after a prophecy that his daughter would die of a snakebite. But when he had a basket of fruit sent to her for joy, a snake hid in it and of course bit the beloved daughter and so the prophecy came true. In the meantime, this story has been transferred to every city with an island castle, castle or tower, including the Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower) in IstanbulIn fact, the city goes back to ancient Korykos, which left numerous ruins including a country castle in the city area. This was followed by the old acquaintances (e.g. Byzantines, Armenians, Mameluks) until finally the Ottomans took the scepter into their hands. Incidentally, we are particularly proud that Richard von Weizsäcker spent a few days here on vacation.
getting there
By plane
The best option by plane is via the ADANA destination airport, from there you can take the bus via Mersin directly to Kizkalesi. approx. 130 km.
Arriving via Antalya Airport is not recommended, as you have to plan around 10 hours of travel time for the 400 km coastal road.
You can also take the shuttle bus from the airport to Forum Mersin. And from there you walk to the front of the main road, where the dolmus (small bus) goes to Kizkalesi. There are always men there who show you the right bus.
But this only works during the day until the early evening, otherwise you can't get a dolmus from Mersin to Kizkalesi.
By train
In the street
By boat
mobility
Tourist Attractions
The ruins and the country castle of ancient Korykos can be found in the vicinity of the village
Numerous other archaeological sites can be found in the area. The most important are:
- Adamkaylar. Roman rock tombs with beautiful reliefs in the Devil's Valley (Şeytan Deresi), signposted at the eastern end of the village.
- Via Sacra. A path through the area to Elaiussa Sebaste, numerous churches, sarcophagi, graves and cisterns. You can always see parts of an aqueduct that reached as far as the Lamos River (now Limonlu) and supplied Korykos and Elaiussa with water.
- Elaiussa Sebaste. An ancient city with temples, churches, a theater and a bathing complex at the former port. An Italian university continues to excavate the city so that there is something new to discover every year. About four kilometers northeast of today's Ayaş.
- Kanlıdivane. A collapse doline. At the top are three churches, a large necropolis with beautiful rock tombs and reliefs, and various other buildings. Two reliefs can be discovered in the 60-meter-deep, accessible sinkhole. To the east of Kızkalesi, signposted in Ayaş.
- Diokaisareia-Olba. A large ancient city near today's Uzuncaburç. Large Temple of Zeus, other temples and other buildings, an impressive city gate, a large necropolis, theater, an aqueduct and much more. 30 kilometers northwest, easiest to find via Silifke (signposted).
- Cennet ve Cehennem. Two large collapse dolines, the larger, accessible one, is over 100 meters deep. Below is an ancient church, behind it begins a cave in which you can hear the rushing underground river, to which the whole thing owes its creation. About ten kilometers to the west, signposted in Narlıkuyu.
- Mozaik Müzesi. In Narlıkuyu, the next town on the coastal road to the west, there is the so-called Mosaic Museum, in which there is a very beautiful Roman mosaic of the three Graces to be admired.
activities
shop
For shopping we usually go to Silifke or with the dolmus to Mersin to the Cetinkaya department store, old town or to Forum Mersin. In Silifke it is a little cheaper than in the Forum Mersin, but you can get good, inexpensive leather shoes and original clothing from large fashion chains and designers in the Forum Mersin.
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
We stayed at the Hotel Horizont a few times, which is right next to the landing stage for the boats to the Mädchenburg. We have been using the hotel for years now
Peine, where the boss Muhsin and the boss cook Gülsen themselves, which is very tasty.
The Hotel Peine is not located directly on the sea but at the former town hall of the city. Walk to the sea 1 minute. Is therefore also a little cheaper than the hotels on the promenade.
You can also rent apartments here in the village or stay in small pensions. The school holidays will end on September 15th and at this time you will find free beds everywhere.
Book in advance in midsummer and during the school holidays, otherwise it can happen that you don't get a place to stay. If you want more comfort, the Hotel Barbarossa and Hotel Kilikia are suitable.
health
In Susanoglu there is a doctor who speaks German. Otherwise there is a public hospital in Erdemli, but it is highly recommended for foreigners as there is little waiting time. Upon admission, you have to pay a fee to be examined and then always pay in Turkish Lira for every further examination such as x-rays, etc. But for us it is relatively cheap. Then you get a total invoice, which you can then submit here in Germany.
Practical advice
You can also get or pre-order a rental car when you land in Adana. We took the company Cizgis rent a car over the Internet because they are very inexpensive and very reliable. In the daily price unlimited kilometers are free, as well as the
Insurance is already included. Acceptance of the car was uncomplicated (car had 5000 km down) and the delivery was even easier. We handed over the keys and papers and he drove off. At the moment the rental price is € 20 per day, which is worth it if there are several people.
