It is the sea fortress of the Kızkalesi Archeological site located in Kızkalesi Neighborhood of Erdemli District, Mersin. The fortress known as either the Sea Fortress or Kızkalesi, which gave its name to the neighborhood, stands on a small islet off the shore. The average distance of this islet to the shore is about 600 m. Thanks to an epitaph placed in the fortress; we know that it was built during the reign of Leon I. It was captured by the Cypriot Kingdom in 1361. Strabon notes that pirates used this place as a safe house during the Roman Period. There is also a myth regarding this place, similar to other Maiden’s Fortress (İstanbul): “There was a king who went to an oracle to learn about the fortune of his most beloved daughter. Upon learning that Princess would be killed by a venomous snake, he had this fortress built to thwart the prophecy. Being sure that he maintained the security of his daughter, the King took a basket of grapes to her. However, the snake hidden in the basket bit the princess and killed her.”