Mersin offers a fascinating geography not only as the pearl of the Mediterranean but also with its historical and natural riches. The 'Historical Cilicia Road Project', which was implemented by the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality with the valuable support of the Mersin Governorship and the Mersin Zirve Mountaineering Specialized Sports Club, brings this unique heritage to light and offers an unforgettable experience to nature and history enthusiasts. This ancient road, which starts from Tisan and extends to Tarsus, is 550 kilometers long and consists of 4 main stages and 38 different courses, inviting participants to a fascinating journey from the Ancient Age to the present day.
Nature lovers from all over Türkiye walked in a time tunnel from east to west of Mersin for two days as part of the project’s introduction event. On the first day, participants walked the Sağlık Berdan track, adorned with the natural beauties of Tarsus, and on the second day, they completed the track in the peaceful atmosphere of Çamlıca. Nature lovers, who were mesmerized by the breathtaking natural landscapes they encountered along their route, had the opportunity to closely observe thousands of years of historical and cultural riches accompanied by the unique blue of the Mediterranean. The ruins of ancient cities, historical stone roads and traces of local life transformed this walk from being just a physical activity to a mental and spiritual discovery.
Demir: “We are happy to receive the reward of our five-year effort”
Mersin Zirve Mountaineering Specialized Sports Club President Ali Rıza Demir stated that they worked with great devotion in the implementation of the project and expressed his deep happiness in receiving the reward of their five-year efforts. Demir said, “It was always our hope. When we took our project to President Vahap Seçer in 2019, we started the project after he accepted it. We completed our project in five years. The project starts from the Tarsus Cleopatra Gate and ends in Sağlık,” summarizing the starting point of the project and the long-term process. Demir’s words clearly reveal how much vision and effort the project is a product of.
Participants Discovered the Hidden Paradises of Mersin
Emel Beden, a member of the Mersin Zirve Mountaineering Specialized Sports Club, expressed her pride in this meaningful project and said, “It was wonderful to feel the peace, happiness and joy of walking this path with my friends on this journey that reaches back to the past, while walking on a historical path.” Beden’s words strikingly reflect the deep impact of the project on the participants and the unique experience created by the historical atmosphere.
Baysal: “We Experienced Two Thousand Years Ago on the Track”
Adana Zirve Mountaineering and Nature Sports Club President Sibel Baysal stated that they were literally running through history and said, “I would like to express my endless gratitude to the Mersin Zirve Mountaineering team and President Vahap Seçer for opening such a beautiful course. It brings our history to the surface and introduces it to the youth and all people. Today, we experienced two thousand years ago. It was wonderful.” Baysal’s enthusiastic words emphasize that the Cilicia Road is not just a walking course, but also offers a time journey that brings participants together with the past.
Kozan: “Sustainability is Very Important, It Should Be Moved to the International Arena”
Zirve Mountaineering Specialized Sports Club President Orhan Kozan emphasized that the Cilicia Road was implemented as a very successful project and said, “I saw five years of effort at the launch. It was brought to life with the great support of our Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and the great visionary structure of the Mersin Zirve Mountaineering Branch. Of course, ensuring its sustainability is very important. Hopefully, the work will continue in a way that will open it up to foreign countries.” Kozan’s words draw attention to the importance of the project’s success as well as its long-term sustainability and international promotion.
Çekematma: “An Alternative to the Lycian Way, We Will Introduce It to Nature Lovers in Gaziantep”
Ali Çekematma from the Gaziantep Zirve Mountaineering and Nature Sports Club stated that they attended the event specifically to get to know the Historical Cilicia Way, and said, “We walk the Lycian Way every year. I think this is an alternative walking route to that. From now on, we plan to come here with our club friends in the spring and fall months and introduce the natural beauties here to nature lovers in Gaziantep.” Çekematma’s words show that the Cilicia Way can be an alternative to other important walking routes in Türkiye and has the potential to attract nature lovers from different regions to Mersin.
As a result, the Historical Cilicia Road Project, which was implemented in cooperation with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Mersin Governorship and Mersin Zirve Mountaineering Specialized Sports Club, stands out as a valuable step taken to protect and promote the unique natural and historical heritage of the region. The positive experiences of nature and history enthusiasts who participated in the project's promotion event indicate that the Cilicia Road will soon become one of Türkiye's important hiking routes. This project will not only increase Mersin's tourism potential, It will also strengthen the awareness of the local people to protect their historical and cultural heritage.
