Mersin
From Turkey Travel Guide
Mersin is a city in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Mersin is a relatively big city populated by more than 850.000(2009), and a busy port on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. It is the capital of the Icel Province which covers Tarsus, Erdemli, Silifke, Anamur, Mut, Yenice and has a population of 1.602.908(2009). It lies on the west of Cukurova, a geographical, economical and cultural region.
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[edit] History
The history of this coast dates back to the 9th millennium BC. Mersin hosted so many civilizations including the Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, the Macedonians of Alexander the Great, Seleucids and Lagids. By having a natural harbor, Mersin was a trade center. The city's name changed into Zephyrium and the trade of molybdenum (white lead) which comes from the mines of Coreyra, was developed big time. Later on, the region became Roman and the city was renamed as Hadrianopolis for Emperor Hadrian. When the Roman Empire divided into two, Byzantines started to rule the area and Mersin lost its importance as a trade center. Later, the city was ruled by the Arabs, Egyptian Tulunids, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, Crusaders, Armenians, Mamluks, Anatolian beyliks, and finally by the Ottomans in 1473. In 1918, Mersin was occupied by the French and British troops and was liberated by the Turkish army in 1920.
[edit] Navigation
Located in the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, Mersin is surrounded by the cities Adana on the east, Antalya on the west, Karaman on the northeast, Konya on the north, Niğde on the northwest and the Mediterranean sea on the south.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
There are daily flights to Adana. From Adana, there are several ways to go to mersin, but the best choice would take the charter that the airline conmpany provides. If there is none, take a taxi to Sakirpasa rail station, and catch the train going to Mersin.
[edit] By train
There is a train going to Mersin From Istanbul every day.(Cukurova Mavi) There are 2 trains a day from Ankara(Icanadolu Mavi, Cukurova Mavi) Should you have a connection in Ankara if you want to take a train from Izmir. No Train avaliable from Antalya. There are local trains from [[Hatay] and Gaziantep at least once a day. The Adana-Mersin line is used frequently by the locals so there are trains every 30 minutes. For further information please check with the Turkish State Railways web site(TCDD): http://www.tcdd.gov.tr
[edit] By car
[edit] By bus
There are daily busses from almost all around Turkey. It takes, 12 hours from Istanbul, and Izmir, 6 hours from Ankara to arrive in Mersin. Possible to face some delay during winter because of the weather conditions, but should not be more than an hour.
[edit] By boat
Currently no ferry is available.
[edit] Getting around
[edit] By car
Mersin is an easy to drive city and the traffic code number for Mersin is 33.
[edit] By public transport
There are public buses and private minibuses running in and around the city for cheap fares.
[edit] By foot
Walking on the Antic Road in the city is recommended.
[edit] By bike
[edit] Weather
Mersin is under the Mediterranean weather influence. In the summer it gets hot, and dry as in the winter in gets warm, and rainy. It gets below freezing about 6 days of a year. Due to high humidty, locals prefer to spend their summer at the villages that has higher elevation, and cooler weather.
(°F)
(40)
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(63)
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(86)
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(67)
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(°F)
(27)
(28)
(33)
(42)
(49)
(55)
(61)
(60)
(53)
(45)
(36)
(31)
(inches)
(1.6)
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(2.0)
(1.9)
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[edit] See
Mersin Museum has sections organized according to chronological order of archaeological data's. Mersin Atatürk House exhibits items related to the visit of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to Mersin.
Makam-ı Şerif Mosque and Danyal Prophet Mausoleum (Center): Makamı Şerif Mosque was built in 1857 and at the east of the mosque, there is the mausoleum of Danyal Prophet.
Ashabı Kehf Cavern (Tarsus) is 14 kilometers away from Tarsus, close to Ulaş Village. This cavern is mentioned in the Holy Quran, and can be climbed down via 15 - 20 stages.
Ulu Mosque is in Tarsus, and was built by Ibrahim bey (Ramazanogulları Principality) on the ruins of St.Pierre Church in 1579.
Yalan Dünya Cave, Cennet Pit Cave, Cehennem Pit Cave, Narlıkuyu Cave are located in the province and worth to see.
[edit] Do
Visit the beaches at Kızkalesi, Ayaş,Susanoğlu, Akyar, Yapraklı koy,Narlıkuyu or quieter bays along the coast to swim and enjoy the nature.
[edit] Events and Festivals
Mersin International Music Festival [1], May-June.
"Anniversary of Atatürk's Arrival at Mersin" is celebrated on March 17th (In front of Atatürk Monument).
Freedom Day of Mersin, January 3rd every year.
International Mersin Festival and Exposition, September-October.
[edit] Eat
In addition to kebab, you should try tantuni. It is chopped meat roasted in water, and fat is wrapped in a thin sheet of dough, served with hot pepper pickles, and finely sliced radish.
[edit] Drink
Shalgam is the local drink that is made out of Turnip. It has a sour, and refreshing taste. You can add hot pepper pickle juice to your shalgam. Goes great with tantuni, and kebab.
[edit] Sleep
Depending on where you go in Mersin, there are several places you can rent for accomodation. There are not many hostels in the suburbs, but there are 2-5 star hotels. Daily rent for a room for 4 people at the beach depends on where you stay, but should not cost more than $35 a day in total.
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-Range
Hotel Korykos [2] is located in Kizkalesi,120 km far from Adana Airport, 60 km far from the Province Mersin and 25 km far from Erdemli and Silifke.
Yaka Hotel [3] is located in the resort town of Kizkalesi, just 100 meters from a fine sandy beach.
[edit] Upscale
Taksim International Group Hotels Mersin [4] is one of the highest building in Europe with high quality service.
Mersin Hitonsa Hotel [5] is a 5 star hotel located in Palmiye Mahallesi, Mersin.
[edit] Work
There are many multinational companies due to existence of the Port in Mersin. Some private schools do hire foreign teacher, and hotels need foreign animators for the summer season.
[edit] Learn
Mersin University [6] has 11 faculties, 6 schools and 9 vocational schools. The school has a mission of encouraging modern, creative and positive thinking among individuals who take initiative and form a productive and qualified new generation.
[edit] Keep connected
Ther are internet cafes everywhere you go. You can buy a Turkish SIM card(Turkcell, Avea...), but that would not be the cheapest way to call abroad.
[edit] Internet
In addition to internet cafes, Turk Telekom provides you with a wireless internet connection: Hot Spots. You should buy some credits for that. Whereas Today, allmost every single cafe or restaurant has wireless connection for free of charge if you are their customer. Just ask for the password :)
[edit] Phone
You should buy a Turk Telekom prepaid phone card,and use the public phones or you can enter a Turk Telekom office, make your phone calls, and pay the cost.
[edit] Post
PTT(The Turkish national post office) has offices all around, mainly at the city center.
[edit] Safety
In case of emergency Mersin Police Department [7] can be reached by dialing the phone number +90-505-318 3300 or simply 155.
[edit] Stay Healthy
Mersin Devlet Hastanesi (State hospital) [8] - Phone number: +90-324-336 3950.
Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi (University hospital)[9] - Phone number: +90-324-337 4300.
Özel Mersin Hastanesi (Private hospital) [10] - Phone number: +90-324-238 0095.
Doğuş Hastanesi (Private hospital) [11] - Phone number: +90-324-238 4949.
Yenişehir Hastanesi (Private hospital) [12] - Phone number: +90-324-329 3900.
[edit] External links
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