Silifke

Silifke is a town and district in Mersin Province in southwestern Turkey, situated on the Mediterranean coast. It lies about 115 kilometres north of Mersin city and is positioned on the banks of the Göksu River, an important waterway that historically facilitated trade and agriculture. The district covers an area of roughly 4,600 square kilometres and has a population of around 60,000 residents as of the latest census.

The area has been inhabited since ancient times, with the Greek colony of Seleucia ad Calycadnum founded in the 2nd century BCE. Seleucia was an important commercial centre in the empire of Pontus and later a Roman provincial city. After a catastrophic earthquake in the 3rd century CE, the inhabitants relocated to the site of modern Silifke, which became a key Roman and Byzantine settlement. The medieval Seljuk and Ottoman periods left their imprint on the region, and many local families can trace their ancestry back to these eras. Today, Silifke preserves numerous historical sites, including the ruins of the ancient city, early 20th‑century churches, and a small number of Ottoman-era mosques.

The local economy is predominantly agricultural, with citrus, olives, and cotton as the main crops. The fertile alluvial plain created by the Göksu River supports extensive irrigation systems. Tourism is an emerging sector, drawing visitors to the ancient ruins, coastal beaches, and nearby natural attractions such as the Göksu Delta and the Toros Mountains. Regular festivals and cultural events celebrate the town’s heritage, and local craft markets feature traditional textiles and pottery. Silifke serves as a regional service centre, providing education, healthcare, and retail services for surrounding rural communities.