Mut Castle
Castle with a rectangular plan and four corner towers, in the Karamanid style.
View on map11 places to visit in the Mut district of Mersin: Alahan Monastery, Kozlar Plateau and Sertavul Plateau. Plan your trip to Mut with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Mut is a district of Mersin Province in the Mediterranean Region, founded at the foot of the Taurus Mountains on the banks of the Göksu River. The district covers 2,718 km² and lies at an altitude of 313 metres. It is bordered by Silifke to the east, Ermenek to the west, Karaman to the north and Gülnar to the south. The average altitude of Mut district centre above sea level is 304 metres.
History
Mut is thought to have been first settled around 2000 BC. It was founded in the mountainous part of Cilicia, which is divided into Mountainous and Lowland Cilicia, just south of the Sertavul Pass, which witnessed many important events in history. At that time the town was called Claudiopolis. In the reign of Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad, Nur-e Sofi Bey, founder of the Karamanid principality, drove the Armenians out of the area in 1228 and brought Ermenek, Mut, Gülnar and later Silifke under his rule. In the time of Karamanid Mesut Bey, Mut served as the capital of the principality for 5 years. After 1502, when the Karamanids migrated en masse to the east, the Karaman lands passed entirely into Ottoman hands.
Geography
Historically important structures in Mut include Laal Paşa Mosque and Kızılminare.
Economy
The district’s economy is mainly based on farming, with considerable production of table apricots. Other important crops grown in the district are olives and plums.
Culture and Arts
For many years the district has hosted the Apricot Festival, which has helped promote the region across the country. Türkiye’s largest flag, measuring 180 × 120 metres, is in this district.
History and Culture
Laal Paşa Mosque, Kızılminare and some other structures were built in the Karamanid period.
Key Facts
Mut district lies at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, on the banks of the Göksu River. In the time of Karamanid Mesut Bey, Mut served as the capital of the principality for 5 years. It was founded as a Roman colony by Emperor Augustus to settle retired soldiers.
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