Kızkalesi (English:Maiden's castle) is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district ofErdemli,Mersin Province,Turkey.^[1] Its population is 1,781 (2022).^[2] Before the2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).^[3][4] The town, known inAntiquity asCorycus orKorykos (Greek:Κώρυκος), is named afterthe ancient castle built on a small island just facing the town.

Kızkalesi
Neighbourhood
Kızkalesi Location in Turkey
Coordinates:36°28′N34°09′E / 36.467°N 34.150°E /36.467; 34.150
Country	Turkey
Province	Mersin
District	Erdemli
Elevation	10 m (30 ft)
Population  (2022)	1,781
Time zone	UTC+3 (TRT)
Postal code	33730
Area code	0324

Kızkalesi is aMediterranean coastal town. TheTaurus mountains are located north of the town and in fact some quarters of the town are situated on the lower mountain slopes. The surrounding area is mostly covered bymaquis shrubland.

Kızkalesi is west of Erdemli andMersin. It is on theD 400 highway, the highway distances being 23 kilometres (14 mi) to Erdemli and 60 kilometres (37 mi) to Mersin.

Ancient Corycus was a large city. It became part of theSeleucid Empire, theRoman Empire, theByzantine Empire, the variousSeljuk empires, theArmenian Kingdom of Cilicia,Beylik of Karaman, and finally theOttoman Empire. In Turkish history, it is known as PrinceCem Sultan's departing point from Turkey in 1482 after his defeat in an Ottoman civil war on his way toRome. After Cem's departure, Kızkalesi became the winter settlement of nomadicTurkmen tribes known asAyaş. It was declared as a seat of township in 1992.

The most important economic activities are agriculture and tourism. Tomatoes, cucumbers, apricots, beans, and citrus are the most cultivated crops. With widespread historical ruins and wide beaches, the touristic potential of the town is notable, but Kızkalesi's tourism economy is not yet up to international standards.

The beach of Kızkalesi hostedbeach volleyball at the2013 Mediterranean Games held in Mersin.