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Carol 202 | profile | all galleries >> World Travel >> Turkey from 2007 to 2009 >> Mersin Area >> Imerzeli, Akeniz Fortress, and the Mersin Mall tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Imerzeli, Akeniz Fortress, and the Mersin Mall

Bob and I took another day trip to do some sight-seeing and hiking. We went into the hill west of Mersin, Turkey and found an ancient site called Imirzeli. There are scattered remains of some churches and a watch tower there. We had a nice picnic and hiked around for a while. Then we decided to continue down the road to see what we would find. We found a gorge with what Bob thinks may be the start of a mine, but I think maybe it is construction for a new dam. Turkey has been adding many dams to create hydroelectric power and to irrigate crops. We saw many patches of farm land being created out of the rocky soil. It's pretty amazing. The Turks flatten out a jagged, rocky area with equipment, stack the rocks up around the patch of land, then fill it up with rich, red earth. We eventually found a road that took us down to the river at the bottom of the gorge (below the possible dam area) and found our way back to the Mediterranean coast. From there, we checked out the remains of a castle on the coast. We headed for home but made a detour into Mersin to check out the new mall everyone has been talking about. Sure enough, we found a large 3-story modern complex with shops, restaurants, a theater, and even a bowling alley. We couldn't resist having dinner at Popeye's Chicken and picking up some Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. The food court had plenty of Turkish food, but it also had McDonald's, Burger King, and Sbarro Pizza. Too bad we couldn't find a Starbuck's.
This young donkey and it's mother were grazing near the road
This young donkey and it's mother were grazing near the road		 Baby goat
Baby goat		 This is a Christian symbol. It contains all the Greek letters of Jesus's name, and can be turned into a Maltese cross
This is a Christian symbol. It contains all the Greek letters of Jesus's name, and can be turned into a Maltese cross		 House by the Imirzeli ruins
House by the Imirzeli ruins
Watch Tower at Imirzeli
Watch Tower at Imirzeli		 These columns may have been part of the market area or agora of Imirzeli. Modern houses on the hill beyond.
These columns may have been part of the market area or agora of Imirzeli. "Modern" houses on the hill beyond.		 This doorway to a church has a Maltese Cross and peacock relief
This doorway to a church has a Maltese Cross and peacock relief		 See the pie shape within the Maltese cross. This is the first time I've seen these peacock reliefs
See the "pie" shape within the Maltese cross. This is the first time I've seen these peacock reliefs
This is what is left inside the church. The small holes would have held timbers for a second and possible third floor.
This is what is left inside the church. The small holes would have held timbers for a second and possible third floor.		 The entrance to a second, much larger church
The entrance to a second, much larger church		 Inside the church we found numerous columns and arches
Inside the church we found numerous columns and arches		 These arches would have held up the second story. The small holes in the wall was for the cross timbers.
These arches would have held up the second story. The small holes in the wall was for the cross timbers.
These arches were part of a stairway or ramp that went to a lower section.
These arches were part of a stairway or ramp that went to a lower section.		 This is the remains of a third church in the small valley
This is the remains of a third church in the small valley		 There were two houses here made of plastic sheeting--but of course they had a new satellite dish for watching TV.
There were two houses here made of plastic sheeting--but of course they had a new satellite dish for watching TV.		 This is the gorge we found our way too. I think a good portion may be filled in by a lake in the near future,
This is the gorge we found our way too. I think a good portion may be filled in by a lake in the near future,
When we found a road down into the gorge, we found a peacock farm!
When we found a road down into the gorge, we found a peacock farm!		 I had to wonder if it was a coincidence to see a peacock relief on the church, and then to find peacocks--weird.
I had to wonder if it was a coincidence to see a peacock relief on the church, and then to find peacocks--weird.		 I don't know what kind of fruit tree this is, but the flowers were beautiful.
I don't know what kind of fruit tree this is, but the flowers were beautiful.		 This is Akkale castle with apartments of Limonlu in the background
This is Akkale castle with apartments of Limonlu in the background
The outer walls of the castle
The outer walls of the castle		 This was a circurler stairway or ramp inside the castle.
This was a circurler stairway or ramp inside the castle.		 This fortress is in pretty bad shape, but the views are great
This fortress is in pretty bad shape, but the views are great		 Wildflowers by the castle
Wildflowers by the castle
This huge arched gate faced the Mediterranean
This huge arched gate faced the Mediterranean		 I think this part may have been a tomb
I think this part may have been a tomb		 Farmers are preparing their fields for spring planting.
Farmers are preparing their fields for spring planting.		 And now for something totally different--kids' carnival area in the mall
And now for something totally different--kids' carnival area in the mall
Dunkin' Donuts--I'll have the hazelnut cream, please.
Dunkin' Donuts--I'll have the hazelnut cream, please.		 Jellyfish sculptures in the Mersin Forum
Jellyfish sculptures in the Mersin Forum		 I can't believe you didn't bring me any Popeye's Chicken--I can smell it on your breath ~Gabby
I can't believe you didn't bring me any Popeye's Chicken--I can smell it on your breath ~Gabby

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