Meydancık Castle is an ancient fortress located within the boundaries of Silifke district in Mersin Province, overlooking the Göksu Valley. Extending approximately 750 meters in length, it covers a considerably wide area and is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological structures in the region. Throughout history, the castle has been utilized by various civilizations for settlement, defense, and administrative purposes.
Meydancık Castle, Gülnar–Mersin. (Mersin Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)
History
Meydancık Castle functioned as a royal city in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. During the 4th century BCE, under Persian rule, it assumed the role of a military and administrative center, serving as a strategic base due to its advantageous location. In the 2nd century BCE, it became a garrison town under the dominion of the Egyptian kings. Archaeological investigations have also revealed remnants from the Late Roman and Byzantine periods.
The castle is mentioned in ancient literary sources. In particular, it is recorded that the Babylonian king Neriglissar, during his campaign against Appuašu, king of Pirindu, in 557/556 BCE, advanced as far as this site. The texts state that his armies reached Kiršu—the ancestral capital of Appuašu (identified with today’s Meydancık Castle)—from where they descended to the sea and subsequently advanced to Sallune, the ancient name for Selinus (modern-day Gazipaşa). These accounts highlight the castle’s regional and military significance in antiquity.
Architectural Features and Structures
Meydancık Castle incorporates numerous features reflecting the architectural practices of its time. Among the principal structures identified are the monumental gate, the eastern tomb, the treasury building, and several reliefs. Notable among these is a depiction of five human figures shown in walking posture from below the knees, reflecting Persian influence. Excavation director M. Alain Davesne suggested that these reliefs were produced in the Persian period but reused during the Hellenistic era; as a result, they remained unfinished and are heavily damaged today. Additionally, another relief of uncertain subject matter is visible on the exterior faces of the fortification walls.
The plateau on which the castle stands is naturally enclosed by steep and rugged slopes, offering a highly defensible topography. This geographical advantage reinforced its military function and explains its repeated use as a garrison in successive periods.
Archaeological Findings
Excavations in and around the castle have yielded significant archaeological materials. Among these is a seal belonging to the Hittite king Muwatalli. Furthermore, systematic excavations conducted in 1980 uncovered 5,215 silver coins, which provide valuable insights into the region’s economic history and trade activities. These artifacts are currently exhibited in the Silifke Museum.
Significance
Meydancık Castle, with its multi-layered historical background stretching from antiquity to the Byzantine era, represents a site of both strategic-military and archaeological importance. By preserving the cultural traces of diverse civilizations, the castle stands not only as a defensive structure but also as a cultural monument embodying the continuity of historical tradition in the region.
