Mezgitkale, Roman mausoleum in Mersin Province, Turkey.
Mezgitkale is a Roman mausoleum built from squared stone blocks with four Corinthian columns marking its southern entrance. The structure features a square chamber with decorative corbels and carved relief panels on its walls.
Built during the 2nd century AD as a tomb for a wealthy Roman landowner, this structure remained in use as a family burial place through the Byzantine period. The building shows how important families maintained their burial sites across different historical eras.
The carved reliefs on the walls show shields and swords that reflect how Romans expressed their status and beliefs in stone. These images tell us what mattered to the people who built this place.
The site sits in a hilly region and requires travel from nearby Silifke, making it best visited as part of a day trip exploring the wider area. A vehicle is necessary to reach this remote location, and local guidance can help with navigation.
Next to the mausoleum stands a stone-carved water cistern and the remains of an ancient olive oil workshop, showing that this was part of a working estate rather than just a burial ground. These nearby structures reveal how the site functioned as a center for agricultural production.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
