Ayaş, Mersin
Ayaş is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Erdemli, Mersin Province, Turkey. Its population is 2,634 (2022). Before the 2013 reorganisation, it was a town (belde). Geography Ayaş is on Turkish state highway D.400. Its distance from Mersin is and from Erdemli was . The town is situated at the Mediterranean coast and there are two beaches of touristic potential, Yemişkumu and Merdivenkuyu. History Ayaş had been inhabited since the ancient ages. Ancient Ayas was an island named Elaiussa and a town on the shore facing the island named Sebaste. Archelaus of Cappadocia had a palace in Elaiussa. But the island had since been joined the mainland because of alivion accumulation. During middle age, Elaiussa Sebaste lost its former importance. After the 12th century, the ruins of the former town became a battle ground between the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and the Karamanids. The area around the former town was incorporated into Ottoman Empire in the 15th century and it became the grazing area of a nomadic Turkmen tribe named Ayaş. A part of the tribe settled in the village named after Ayaş and, in 1989, it was incorporated into Kumkuyu municipality on the east. In 1999, Ayaş was declared a town and issued from Kumkuyu municipality. Economy Like most towns around, Ayaş economy depends on vegetable agriculture. Tourism has begun to play a role in the town's economy and there are hotels, beaches and summer houses. See also Kanlıdivane Çanakçı rock tombs References Populated coastal places in Turkey Seaside resorts in Turkey Tourist attractions in Mersin Province Neighbourhoods in Erdemli District