sokullulu kervansarayi

Construction of this marvellous combination of mosque and caravanserai started back in 1566 and was finished in 1574. It's one of the chef d'eouvres of the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. It's adjacent to Payas Forteress. Both this complex and the village where it is situated were hot spots in the past as they were on the road leading to Hedjaz but they lost their importance once the steem vessels were discovered and started to be used to get to Hedjaz. Ever since, the place is left to its destinity, almost no one visits this wonderfull masterpiece. However, currently a heavy renovation is on the way at the caravanserai part and the hope is that once it's over, it will again be a hot spot for history fans. The mosque part is still intact, its court and hundred years old olive tree inside can be easily visited. If you're going to Antakya from Adana on land road, this place is almost on your way. So, I recommend to spare utmost 1 hour to visit this lovely place now that it's still away from usual tourist rush.

Once an important silk road port city, Payas houses the biggest and most important Ottoman complex in Anatolia, Sokullulu Külliyesi, complete with a mosque, a covered bazaar, double Turkish bath (for men and women) , a huge cervansarai, kitchen, primary school, lodge and soup kitchen for poor , panteries , a dervish lodge and stables for horses and camels.Commissioned by famous Ottoman Vizier, Sokullulu Mehmet Pasha, and built by as famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, once a majestic complex, now abondened, completed in 1574 to serve pilgrims to and from sacred destinations like Jerusalem, Mecca. Undergone several restorations , the complex could not gain a proper functionality, (a boutique hotel option is being talked about nowadays) . However the complex is well worth the visit yet do not expect much informative panels hung around . If you can get a hold of the guide pamphlet then available at the guardroom you may navigate yourself. There was a youngmen who guided us through the complex he was a tourist guide working there, gave information about the history but I am not sure if you can count on a regular guided tour . The mosque of the complex is functional so you may always find somebody there . The very old Olive tree at the courtyard of the mosque is also worth a look. No entrance fee, although I am not sure if they have operating hours avoid noon ( for lunch) best try to go in mid morning or early afternoon .Once you arrive to Payas ( on the shore road from Antakya to Adana) the road signs safely take you to the complex . The bonus is next door Payas Castle an original Cenovese Castle later continued to be used by Crusaders, Ottomans . Not much informaion posted yet worth a visit with especially still intact dungeons.

после реставрации это просто изумительное место.Комплекс Сокколу Мехмет Паша великолепный памятник османских времен. 1574года.Садразам Сокколу Мехмет Паша заказал известному архитектору Синану.Включает в себя мечеть, медрасе, караван-сарай.Так же в окрестностях можно много чего посетить.

Находится около Искендеруна по дороге на Адану. Симпатичные развалины, хотя и неплохо сохранились. Впечатляет 1000-летнее оливковое дерево. Сама крепость - это местная достопримечательность, очень часто сюда приезжают люди на свадьбу.