Mut is the ancient Claudiopolis, founded about 50 BC by Marcus Aurelius Polemo, high priest of Olba. Polemo brought the fierce tribes of the Isaurians that then lived in the Taurus Mountains under one rule. Emperor Zeno was an Isaurian.
A round tower, of the citadel, dominates the city. The citadel was strengthened and enlarged under the Byzantines in de 14th century.
Near the citadel one finds the Lal Ağa Mosque (second half 14th century) and some türbe’s (monumental graves) from the same period. And that is about it. The town is one of those towns that stretch for a mile or two along a busy road (this one from the coast to Karaman and then on to Konya) and is almost exclusively modern. I found it a pleasant springboard for a day trip to Ermenek and the nearby Alahan monastery. I would not have made it to Alahan (got stranded for no minibuses ran on Sunday) if not for the kindness of a group of amateur-photographers from Mersin, out to practice what they had recently been taught. They took me along and were good company. I thank and greet them and wish them luck with a fine hobby.
I returned in December 2011 for a short visit. Lots of old houses and some newly built ones.