Gözne is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Toroslar, Mersin Province, Turkey.[1] Its population is 1,505 (2022).[2] Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).[3][4]

Gözne
Gözne town, seen from the Gözne Castle
Gözne town, seen from the Gözne Castle
Gözne is located in Turkey
Gözne
Gözne
Location in Turkey
Coordinates: 37°00′N 34°34′E / 37.000°N 34.567°E / 37.000; 34.567
CountryTurkey
ProvinceMersin
DistrictToroslar
Elevation
1,045 m (3,428 ft)
Population
 (2022)
1,505
Time zoneUTC+3 (TRT)
Postal code
33251
Area code0324

Geography

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Gözne is 28 kilometres (17 mi) north of Mersin. It is situated in the southern slopes of the Taurus Mountains. The average altitude is 1,045 metres (3,428 ft). In some locations of the town, both Mersin and the Mediterranean Sea can be viewed. The road between Mersin and Gözne is quite well cared and accessible whole year, the average travel time being about 30 minutes.

History

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It is known that there was a prehistoric settlement in the area which now is Gözne. So far, only one inscription has been unearthed which is in Aramaic. Gözne Castle was built in the Middle Ages.

The modern settlement in Gözne dates back to 19th century when people from Mersin and Tarsus began to use the surrounding as a summer resort (Turkish: yayla).

During the Turkish War of Independence, Mersin and Tarsus were under French occupation [5] and Gözne was one of the centers of the nationalists. After the liberation of Mersin in 1922, Gözne became a village and then a town in 1956.[6]

Gözne as summer resort

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Both being Mediterranean cities, Mersin and Tarsus are hot during the summers months. So it was a practice among the people to migrate to Gözne in summer months. During the 19th century and early 20th century, usually the landlords stayed in Mersin and met with their families on the weekends. However, after the roads were constructed it is just a short drive from Mersin, and it is possible to spend the night in Gözne and work in Mersin. Nevertheless, after the beginning of beach tourism and other touristic activities as well as the advance in climatization technology, Gözne is not as popular as it used to be.

References and notes

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  1. ^ Mahalle, Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports" (XLS). TÜİK. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Law No. 6360". Official Gazette (in Turkish). 6 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Classification tables of municipalities and their affiliates and local administrative units" (DOC). Official Gazette (in Turkish). 12 September 2010.
  5. ^ See Sykes–Picot Agreement
  6. ^ "Mayor's page (in Turkish)". Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2010-04-07.