Kızkalesi
Maiden's Castle
At about sixty kilometers from
Mersin, lies the charming little holiday resort
of Kızkalesi or
Maiden's Castle. The striking massive Maiden's Castle, lying just 200 m
offshore, seems to float on the blue waves of the Mediterranean giving the
place something magic. Kızkalesi
offers one of the finest sandy beaches along this stretch of coast.
Historically, Kizkalesi
was founded by settlers from the Aegean in the fourth century BC. The name
Korykos was first mentioned in 197 BC when the Cilician coast was
recaptured from the Egyptians by Antiochus III the king of Syria.
After the Romans conquered Ciliclia in 67 BC it became a Roman province.
In 67 AD the Roman Emperor Pompeius rescued the settlement from the ever
attacking pirates. The settlement got the name Korykos (Corycus) and
became part of the Roman Empire. During this period it grew into a
prosperous harbour city. During the Byzantine era the city's defences were
strengthened with two castles. In the 13th century AD when Korykos was
part of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia the two castles were extensively
rebuilt. Unfortunately, in building and rebuilding the castles the
builders pillaged the ruins of ancient Corycos. In 1482 Korykos became
part of the Ottoman Empire. During this period the site became
abandoned, until just some eighty years ago, when people began to settle
here again, calling it Kız Kalesi
meaning Maiden's Castle after the name of the sea castle.
Kızkalesi or
Maiden's Castle got its name from the following legend: Once upon a
time there was a king who had only one child, a daughter, whom he loved
tenderly. When he learned that his daughter would die from a snakebite, the
king built a palace in the sea where the princess would be in safety far
away from snakes. However, a viper had hidden in a basket of fruit that was
sent to her by her father. The snake bit her in the finger, bringing death
to the princess.
Facing Maiden's
Castle on the shore are the ruins of Korykos Castle which was linked in
ancient times to the sea castle by a causeway. The castles were a link in
the chain of coastal fortifications eastablished by the Byzantine admiral
Eugenius in 1104 to defend and protect the borders of Byzantium. Next to
Korykos Castle, across the road, lies the ancient necropolis of Korykos.
We had an excellent stay in the friendly and very
clean Hotel Hantur (Tel. +90 (0)
324/ 523 2367,
single with breakfast and air-co $ 20 in June), located right on the beach (private beach). The owner
also arranged transportation at a reasonable price to
Uzuncaburç,
Cennet-Cehennem, and
Kanlıdivane.
June is a nice month to stay in Kizkalesi, afterwards it quickly fills
up with people from Adana having their summer vacation here. It seems that
the autumn season is also nice.
Click on the thumbnails to get a greater picture
