Maiden castle (Kızkalesi) or as it used to be called Korikos, is a small town situated 60 km west of Mersin. The town attracts visitors’ attention with its climate, beautiful sight, wide beaches and clean sea. Today this coastal town can be regarded as one of the hidden treasures of the Mediterranean with its nature and historical value.
It is known less than the Blue Lagoon and it’s surrounding which is accepted as the most beautiful place of Turkey. Compared with the regions that tourist attraction is dense, everything here is more peaceful and calm. It is very much suitable for families with its wide beaches. Around the town there are many archeological sites to visit. You can also attend tours from Maiden castle to Cappadoccia and legendary Nemrut Mountain. Also Petrus Church in Antakya (The second biggest mosaic museum in the world), Saint Paul well in Anamur is close by.

Maiden castle (Kızkalesi) had its name 85 years before. The legend that has been told by the local residents caused this name to be given.

According to Herrodotus this city was founded by the prince of Cyprus, Korikos. When Syrian King Antonious the second, in 197 BC counquered Eygpt’s coasts again, for the first time this city’s name is mentioned. Roman authors Livius, Pilinius, Cicero and the governer of Tarsus of those times mentioned Korikos in their works. In Byzantium time, in other words in 5. and 6. century the city had its glorious times. In 1361 it was counquered by Lusignen from Cyprus and later in 1448 was conquered by the sultan of Karaman İbrahim. After this, the city was embodied to Ottoman empire in 1482.

There are two medieval castles in the city, Korikos castle and Maiden castle. Korikos castle is on the tip of a peninsula. It consists of two forts. In the internal courtyard you can see the small churches and long aisle. The construction of the castle was started by Romans and after five phases it was completed by Cypriots. Maidencastle was built on a small island 200 mt far away from the seashore. You can see under the sea the remnants of the connection bridge from the seashore to Korikos.

Shortly with the holiday you will make in Maidencastle via daily tours you will have the chance to visit: Kanlıdivane, Paradise and Hell caves, Narlı Well (It is famous for its cold clean sea and delicious fish restaurants on the bay), in Silifke; Silifke Castle, Uzuncaburç, Silifke Museum, Ayatekla Church, and the historical sites nearby. If you like from Silifke, Taşucu you can go to Cyprus and add different colors to your holiday. Also among the places you can visit daily we can add Aydıncık, Ovacık and Anamur, Anamuryum and Anamur Castle that have clean and virgin bays.

The story of Maidencastle
Once upon a time there was a king living in this region who loved his daughter very much. According to the myth, one fortune teller had said to the king that his daughter would be killed by a snakebite.
Upon this, in order to protect his daughter the king built a castle within the sea. Time passed by and the girl grew up in the castle. But inevitably, from a fruit basket which was taken brought to the princess, the snake came out and killed her by its bite.
What was left behind was the lonely king. These events lead the castle in the sea to be called as maidencastle.