MERSİN KUMKUYU DOMESTIC TOUR PROGRAM
MAY 30TH, 2014-FRIDAY
09.00 DEPARTURE FROM KUKUYU MARINA
09.30 VISIT TO KANYTELLIS
11.30 VISIT TO ELAIUSSA SEBASTE
12.30 VISIT AND SIGHTSEEING OF MAIDEN CASTLE
13.00-14.30 LUNCH IN NARLIKUYU SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
LUNCH (SEAFOOD) AT A FAMOUS AND HISTORICAL FISHERMANS WHARF
14.30 VISIT TO NARLIKUYU THREE BEAUTIES MOSAICS MUSEUM
15.00 VISIT TO HEAVEN AND HELL AND ASTHMA CURING CAVE
17:00 ARRIVAL TO KUMKUYU MARINA
PRICE: 100TL PER PERSON including bus, English speaking guide, lunch excluding drinks
1.KANYTELIS (KANLIDİVANE)
KANYTELIS(Kanlıdivane) is in the rural area ofErdemlidistrict, which is a part of Mersin Province at36°31′32″N34°10′45″E. It is 18km (11mi) to Erdemli and 55km (34mi) toMersin. Its altitude is approximately 230m (750ft). It is close to the townKumkuyuat the coast and just few hundred meters toÇanakçı rock tombs.
The sinkhole is quite wide; the longer dimension being 130m (430ft). The depth is about 70m (230ft)
Kanlıdivane was a part of theOlbakingdom in the ancient age. In the northernnecropolis, there is a mausoleum, which was built by the Queen Aba for her husband and sons. On the inscription of the tower at south-west it reads; "Built by Teukros, the son of priest king Tarkyaris of Olba forZeus."
By the first century, Olba kingdom became a part ofRoman Empire.Byzantine EmperorTheodosius IIrebuilt the city as a Christian religious center and renamed it Neapolis. There are ruins of basilicas, cisterns, rock cut graves etc. around the sinkhole.[1]
Kanlıdivane means "bloody crazy". This may refer to the red color of the surrounding soil. The name may also refer to a dreadful legend according to which the criminals had been executed by throwing into the sinkhole during Roman times.[2]
2. ELİAUSSA-SEBASTE:
Eliaussa - Sebaste: The city was founded during the Late Hellenistic period(second and firs centuries B.C.) The city lived through its most glorious period during Roman and early Chiristian times. Its natural harbour and fertile agricultural lands gave the city advantages that brought about its development and its wealth. The city was established on a hilly peninsula and later expanded towards inland. The period of peace that began after Pompeius eliminated the danger of pirates favoured the development of the city. Howewer the most important factor in the development of the city was the fact that the city was ceded to the Cappadocian king Archelaosduring the reign of Emperor Augustus, and than consequently the king moved here. As a sign of his gratitude and loyality to Augustus, Archelaos renamed the City Sebaste
3. KORYKOS(KIZKALESİ-MAIDEN CASTLE)
KORYKOS: 60 kms from Mersin, to the west, is the ancient city Korykos, which is now the resort town of Kizkalesi, with sandy beaches and camping sites. There are important remains which are symbols of that region like The Castle of Korykos on the beach faces the Kizkalesi (Maiden’s Castle) which stands on an islet 200 m offshore. The two castles once used to be joined by a sea wall but now they are separated as the wall submerged. The road from Silifke to Mersin is very enjoyable along the coast; the ancient basilicas, tombs and ruins are on one side of the road and beautiful coves with sandy beaches on the other side.
MAIDEN CASTLE
4. NARLIKUYU THREE BEAUTIES MOSAICS MUSEUM
THREE BEAUTIES MOSAICS MUSEUM(Üç güzeller mozayiği): In the Narlikuyu Mosaic Museum there is a 4th century mosaic decorated bath. An inscription reads "Dear Visitor, if you wonder who has discovered this miraculous water, know that he is Poimenios, the friend of the emperors and the honest administrator of the holy islands." The water was said to give beauty, long life, and wisdom.The floor mosaic depicts three Graces; Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalia as well as a couple of partridges and doves. The local name of the mosaic is Üç Güzeller (Three Beauties) .The mosaic refers to the mythological story of the baptism of Aphrodite.
We went few times to Narlikuyu for a sailing day and barbecue with family. Narlikuyu is the only nice bay for anchoring in the area, protected from the prevailing winds and with restaurants and mini markets.
NARLIKUYU BAY(SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS)
5.THE PIT OF HELL AND HEAVEN(CENNET VE CEHENNEM ÇUKURU)
THE PIT OF HEAVEN(Cennet Çukuru)
Top opening of Cennet is 250 x 110 m2( 820 x 360ft2) and its average dept is 70 metres (230ft). It is possible to reach the bottom of Cennet by a primitive staircase composed of 300 steps. At the bottom towards south, there is a smaller and 150 steps deeper cave. In this cave are the ruins of a monastery built in the 5th century by a certain Paulus and dedicated toVirgin Mary. In this monastery one can hear the sound of a small underground stream from the monastery to the gulf of Narlıkuyu.[1]
THE PIT OF HELL(Cehennem Çukuru)
Cehennem is a deeper sinkhole with a depth of 128 metres (420ft). But its top opening is smaller with dimensions 70 x 50m2( 210x150ft2) . More over, the upper edge of the opening is concave. So, it is impossible to reach the bottom of Cehennem.