Kayaci Valley

Kayaci Valley or Lamas Canyon, a valley and natural area located in the Erdemli district of Mersin, around Limonlu. Shaped by the Limonlu River (Lamos River), the valley attracts attention with its canyon-like geomorphological structure, vegetation around the watercourse, biological diversity and historical ruins. In 2023, as part of the work carried out by the General Directorate of Forestry, the valley was organized as an ecotourism area; hiking and cycling routes, wooden bridges and resting areas were created.

Kayaci Valley also forms a part of Lamas Valley, which contains historic water systems linked to the ancient settlements of Cilicia. Ancient water channels, galleries, aqueducts, castle and church ruins are found in the valley and its surroundings. Some archaeological sites located within Kayaci Valley were registered in 2014 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as first‑degree archaeological site areas.

Geography

Kayaci Valley is situated in the southern part of the Taurus Mountains, around the Limonlu and Kayaci neighborhoods of the Erdemli district of Mersin. The valley was formed by the long‑term erosion activities of the Limonlu River and acquires a canyon appearance in some sections. The field guide of the Mersin Provincial Directorate of National Education states that the valley consists of steep and sharp valleys created by the Limonlu River and is located about 12 km inland from the sea.

Along the flow of the Limonlu River within the valley, rock walls, narrow passages and various geomorphological forms created by water erosion are observed. Some parts of the region are also called Kızılgeçit Valley in local sources. It is noted that Lamas Valley is divided into Kayaci Valley, Kızılgeçit Valley and Aksıfat Valley.

The entire valley is a state forest within the ecotourism area defined by the General Directorate of Forestry. According to the institution's current data, the Kayacı Valley Ecotourism Area is 31.21 km long and the area includes one hiking trail and two hiking and bicycle trails.

Climate and vegetation

Kayacı Valley is under the influence of the Mediterranean climate. The formation of more humid microenvironments along the stream bed contributes to the diversification of the surrounding vegetation.

According to the General Directorate of Forestry's data, the valley has a vegetation cover dominated by Mediterranean plant species; in addition to coniferous species such as cedar, Turkish pine and juniper, broad‑leaf trees such as red‑bud, oak, plane, carob, laurel and olive are also observed. Among shrubs and small trees, species such as ivy and blackberry are present.

Large trees such as plane are especially found along the water edges of the valley. Tourism publications prepared on the ecological features of Lamas Valley also note that, besides Mediterranean maquis communities around the canyon, trees such as plane, pine, oak and oak are present.

Fauna

Kayacı Valley and its surroundings are reported to have a significant wildlife diversity. According to the General Directorate of Forestry's Kayacı Valley Ecotourism Area data, the region hosts 227 bird species and 19 mammal species.

Recorded mammals include wild boar, wolf, jackal, fox, lynx, wild cat, otter, tree squirrel, rock squirrel, badger, squirrel and rabbit. The same source indicates that the wild boar population is particularly high.

History

Kayacı Valley is linked to important transportation and water supply systems of Eastern Mountainous Cilicia, which was called the Olba region in antiquity. Numerous ancient settlements, castles and other structural remains are found along Lamas Valley. It is thought that transportation routes running through the valley were used in the connections between the ancient settlements surrounding the valley.

One of the most important historical features of the valley is the water conveyance systems built during the Roman period. Water taken from the springs in Lamas Valley was transported to the ancient settlements on the coast through galleries and canals carved into the rocks. According to research, the system that supplied water from Lamas Valley to coastal settlements such as Korykos (today Kızkalesi) and Elaiussa Sebaste consists of a complex engineering structure of galleries, open canals and aqueducts.

Academic studies on the Korykos water system state that water taken from a spring in Lamas Valley was transferred toward Kayacı through galleries carved into the western slope of the valley, measuring approximately 1.5 × 1.5 m, and later delivered to the coastal settlements by aqueducts. It is mentioned that the system includes seven aqueducts.

Archaeological remains

There are various building ruins in Kayacı Valley and its surroundings that extend from the ancient period to later periods. The General Directorate of Forestry states that a castle and a church ruin are located on the hiking trail of the ecotourism route, but there is insufficient information in sources regarding the history of these structures.

In the broader historical surroundings of the valley there are the New Village Castle, ancient roads, bridges, necropolis areas and various settlement remains. The ancient road and bridge remains in the Lamas Valley are considered to be related to the ancient settlements around Tapureli, Veyselli, New Village and Sömek.

Archaeological site areas

Archaeological investigations were carried out in 2014 in the sections within the boundaries of Limonlu Neighborhood of Kayacı Valley. By the decision dated 28 October 2014 taken by the Adana Cultural Heritage Protection Regional Board, the archaeological sites identified within Kayacı Valley and named Lamas Valley I and Lamas Valley II were registered as first‑degree archaeological site areas under Law No. 2863.

In the same decision, it was requested that investigations continue in the yet-unexplored sections of the Kayacı Valley, which extends from the Limonlu Neighborhood in the district of Erdemli towards the district of Silifke, and that the results be submitted to the conservation board.