| Hisarın Castle | |
|---|---|
| Part of Olba | |
| Mersin Province, Turkey | |
 From the east | |
  Hisarın Castle | |
| Coordinates | 36°30′26″N34°09′26″E / 36.50722°N 34.15722°E |
| Type | Fortress |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built by | Seleucid Empire (?) |
| Materials | Stone |
| Demolished | Most of it |
Hisarin Castle (Turkish : Hisarinkale also known as Hisarkale where Hisar means "fort") is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey.
The castle is in the rural area of Erdemli district, to the west of an irregular stream. Although its birds flight distance to the highway D.400 which connects Mersin to Antalya is about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) there is no direct road to the castle and the castle can be reached by foot through bushy terrain from the village road between Ayaş and Esenpınar. Its distance to Erdemli is 20 kilometres (12 mi) and to Mersin is 56 kilometres (35 mi).
The history of the castle has not been firmly established. But the polygonal masonry suggests ancient age. (Seleucid Empire or Roman Empire era). The castle was used as a garrison to protect the ancient city to the east of the valley.
The double layer rampart was built by polygonal masonry. The inner side of rampart was supported by backing-walls. There are some compartments to the north which are thought to be workshops of the castle and there are three mausoleums to the north east. There are a number of graves and some rooms to the south of the castle. One important element of the castle is a Heracles figuration on the wall which was a symbol of Olba Kingdom, a vassal of the Seleucid Empire. [1] [2]
Kızkalesi is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Erdemli, Mersin Province, Turkey. Its population is 1,781 (2022). Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde). The town, known in Antiquity as Corycus or Korykos, is named after the ancient castle built on a small island just facing the town.
Limonlu is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Erdemli, Mersin Province, Turkey. Its population is 2,939 (2022). Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).
The Üçayaklı ruins are a Byzantine-era archaeological site in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Tapureli ruins are in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Yeniyurt Castle is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey. The ancient name of the castle is not known. Yeniyurt is the name of a nearby village.
Aphrodisias, sometimes called Aphrodisias of Cilicia to distinguish it from the town of the same name in Caria, was a port city of ancient Cilicia whose ruins now lie near Cape Tisan in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Dağlı Castle is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey
Akkale is the popular name given to ruins of a building complex in Kumkuyu town of Erdemli district, Mersin Province, Turkey
Kızkalesi is an island castle situated on a small island in Mersin Province of Turkey.
Emirzeli (İmirzeli) is a group of ruins in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Hançerkale is the popular name given to a Byzantine observation tower ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Öküzlü is an archaeological site in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Paşa Türbesi is a tomb in the Mersin Province, Turkey
Meydankale is the archaeological site of a ruined castle in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Yaka Castle is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey. Although its name is Güdübeş, it is popularly known as Yaka referring to a former village to the east of the castle.
Çatıören is an archaeological site in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Softa Castle is a ruined castle in Bozyazı ilçe (district) of Mersin Province, Turkey.
Işıkkale is an ancient settlement in Turkey.
Uzuncaburç is an archaeological site in Mersin Province, Turkey, containing the remnants of the ancient city of Diokaisareia or Diocaesarea.
Kara Castle is a castle ruin in Mersin Province, Turkey. Actually its name was Corycus Castle. The ancient town Corycus had two castles; one on the island facing the town and one on the land. So its customary to call the land castle Kara Castle .The castle is at 36°27′46″N34°09′03″E. Its distance to Erdemli is 22 kilometres (14 mi) and to Mersin is 59 kilometres (37 mi).
