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العربيةAlahan Monastery — Mersin
Alahan Monastery — in Mut district. An early Byzantine monastery from the 5th century on a slope overlooking the Göksu Valley; on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. Google Maps rating 4.8 (1025 reviews).
About
Alahan Monastery was built on a steep slope overlooking the Göksu Valley in Toroslar, at an altitude of about 1000 metres. The complex, dated to the late 5th and early 6th centuries, consists of the West Church, the East Church, a baptistery, tombs and living quarters carved into the rock. The stone workmanship of the East Church is considered one of the best-preserved examples of early Byzantine architecture in Anatolia.
Evliya Çelebi mentions the monastery in his Book of Travels as looking 'as if it had just left its master's hand'. The complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2000. The view of the Göksu Valley is part of the visit thanks to its hillside location; MüzeKart is valid.
Practical Information
Practical information
| District | Mut |
|---|---|
| Best season | Spring–autumn; road and slope conditions worsen in winter |
| Transit | 25 km to Mut; signposted turnoff from the Karaman road, last 2 km uphill |
MüzeKart is not valid. The entrance fee is not published in the muze.gov.tr record, so it is not stated; the current fee from the official page or confirm at the ticket office.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours
| Day / source | Hours |
|---|---|
| Official (muze.gov.tr) | 08:15–17:00, box office 16:45 |