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Alahan Monastery: A Historical Treasure in Mersin

 

Mersin Mut Mayor Murat Orhan highlighted Alahan Monastery as a key cultural asset on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, attracting both local and international tourists. Known as the “Hagia Sophia of Mersin” due to its architectural resemblance to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Alahan Monastery features two churches, monk rooms carved into rocks, a baptistery, and a unique bath structure supplied by a spring.

Restored in 2011, the 6th-century monastery, situated in the Mut district, is noted for its historical significance as a Christian pilgrimage route. Evliya Çelebi, a famous 17th-century traveler, described it as appearing freshly constructed. Despite some damage over the centuries, the monastery remains a rare and well-preserved historical monument, drawing tourists eager to explore its rich past.

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