Soğucak

Soğucak

Belenkeşlik
Soğucak Belenkeşlik
Neighbourhood
	Soğucak Location in Turkey
	Coordinates: 36°58′N 34°33′E / 36.967°N 34.550°E
Country	Turkey
Province	Mersin
District	Toroslar
Elevation	825 m (2,707 ft)
Population (2022)	712
Time zone	UTC+3 (TRT)
Postal code	33251
Area code	0324

Soğucak (former Belenkeşlik) is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Toroslar, Mersin Province, Turkey.^[1] Its population is 712 (2022).^[2] Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde).^[3]^[4]

Geography

The town is situated at the southern slopes of the Taurus Mountains. The average altitude is 825 metres (2,707 ft). It is 24 kilometres (15 mi) north of Mersin.

History

Near the town is a well-preserved, rectangular fortified estate house (keep) built in the 12th or 13th century during the period of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. The upper level has eight embrasured loopholes for archers. This was one of the many sites that guarded a route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Hetʽumid stronghold of Çandır Castle (Papeṙōn).^[5] The fortress as well as the small village was named Belenkeşlik. The fortification was surveyed in 1979.^[6] For many years, Belenkeşlik was used as a yayla (summer resort of Mersin citizens).

In 1890, the Armenian church records stated there were 76 Armenian households in Mogounk. In 1910, the church only recorded 58 Armenian households while On the eve of the Armenian genocide, there were 67 Armenian households.^[7]

During the second half of the 20th century the population of the village increased and the village was declared township in 1997.^[8]

Economy

Although the mountains around Soğucak are covered with pine forests, there is enough agricultural land for the Soğucak residents. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the main products. House rental services during summers and animal husbandry are also pronounced activities.