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The Idyllic City of Mersin

This coast has been inhabited since the 9th millennium BC. Excavations by John Garstang of the hill of Yumuktepe have revealed 23 levels of occupation, the earliest dating from ca. 6300 BC. A fortification was put up around 4500 BC, but the site appears to have been abandoned between 3200 BC and 1200 BC.

In the following centuries the city became a part of many states and civilizations including the Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, the Macedonians of Alexander the Great, Seleucids, Lagids. During the Ancient Greek period, the city bore the name Zephyrion and was mentioned by numerous ancient authors.

Later, the area became a part of the Roman province of Cilicia, which had its capital at Tarsus, while nearby Mersin was the major port. The city, whose name was Latinized to Zephyrium, was renamed as Hadrianopolis in honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian.

Today, Mersin is a large city spreading out along the coast, with Turkey's second tallest skyscraper (the 52-floor Mertim Tower), huge hotels, an opera house, and many other modern, urban amenities.

The city centre has a natural rustic charm, narrow streets span the length of the centre surrounded either side by little shops and cafes. The old quarter near the fish market is full of tiny stalls selling local delicacies.

The Local Cuisine

The local cuisine offers a rich variety of dishes, from the famous Adana Kebab (Turkeys trademark dish) to a multitude of delicious seafood dishes, including; large shrimp, calamari, leer fish, rock bass and octopus.

At meal times the bread is served with pure olive oil and a special spice known as zahter this delicacy is highly recommended for people with a taste for exotic flavours.