Görmeli is a village on the hillside of Taurus mountains

Taurus Mountains

Taurus Mountains are a mountain complex in southern Turkey, dividing the Mediterranean coastal region of southern Turkey from the central Anatolian Plateau. The system extends along a curve from Lake Eğirdir in the west to the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the east...

 near Ermenek

Ermenek

Ermenek is a town and district of Karaman Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 42,643 of which 15,509 live in the town of Ermenek.-Name:...

, Karaman province

Karaman Province

Karaman Province is a province of central Turkey. It has an area of 9,163 km². It has a population of 232,633 . According to the 2000 census the population was 243,210. Population density is 27.54 people/km². The traffic code is 70. The capital is the city of Karaman...

, Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

.

Geography

Görmeli is located in the Karaman Region’s Taurus Mountains range, on the slopes of Taurus mountains

Taurus Mountains

Taurus Mountains are a mountain complex in southern Turkey, dividing the Mediterranean coastal region of southern Turkey from the central Anatolian Plateau. The system extends along a curve from Lake Eğirdir in the west to the upper reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the east...

. It is on the south-east side of Ermenek

Ermenek

Ermenek is a town and district of Karaman Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2000 census, population of the district is 42,643 of which 15,509 live in the town of Ermenek.-Name:...

 town, in the Karaman province

Karaman Province

Karaman Province is a province of central Turkey. It has an area of 9,163 km². It has a population of 232,633 . According to the 2000 census the population was 243,210. Population density is 27.54 people/km². The traffic code is 70. The capital is the city of Karaman...

. It is 18 km. from the center of Ermenek and 90 km. from the touristic towns of the mediterranean region Anamur

Anamur

Anamur is a town and district of the province of Mersin, on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey, between Antalya and the city of Mersin.Anamur is Turkey's southernmost point, a coastal resort famous for its bananas and peanuts.-Etymology:...

. The Map coordinates are 40° 42° North parallels and 30° 10° East meridians. The village is on the main road of Ermenek and Gülnar. It is surrounded by forests and high mountains. The area is very productive, due to watery fields and soft soil. Almost all vegetables and fruits are grown locally. Görmeli presents quite a spectacular sight with its meadows, streams, plants, trees, animals, and the traditional lifestyle of its people.

History

The time in which the area first became inhabited is still unknown. However, it is said that people were brought from Adana by the Emirate of Karamanid hundreds of years ago. Ala Köprü is also called Görmel. Köprüsü is a bridge 5 km (3 mi) away from the village. It was built by the Karamanid Emirate. It is a masterpiece that could have reached this time. Its length is 27m. and its width is 4.70 m. Sadly, the future of this historical bridge is in jeopardy as it is going to be submerged by the Ermenek Dam

Ermenek Dam

The Ermenek Dam is an arch dam on the Göksu River in Karaman Province, Turkey. The development was backed by the Turkish State Hydraulic Works. Completed in 2009, the primary purpose of the tall dam is to support its 300 MW power station.-References:...

, currently under construction.
There is a historical building called Mennan Castle in the Nısa Neighbourhood near Görmeli. Mennan means "place to shelter in". The castle was built with rocks on a perpendicular mountain. It is also known as the castle that Karamanid from the Ottoman Gedik Ahmet Pasha, as a result of which Pir Ahmet Bey committed suicide within it. Sadly The castle is in ruins, dilapidated by treasure hunters. Some blame the authorities, whom, they say, did not attach enough importance to this historical building to protect it, with the result that the construction has been suffering from years of neglect.

Culture

Visitors can taste a traditional water-prepared meal called 'Batırma'. It consists of small wheat pieces, tomatoes, pepper, parsley, sesame, and walnuts. These ingredients are mixed and kneaded with cold water. The meal is served accompanied by fresh peppers, cucumbers, boiled cabbage, eggplants, tomatoes and boiled grape leaves. Another traditional local food is called 'Tarhana'. It is prepared with either minced meat and potatoes. The ingredient is mixed with wheat, tomato sauce, onion, pepper, and parsley. The mixture is kneaded and then shaped like a palm. The pieces are grilled on oak coal. The people get up so early and most of them go to their fields or take their animals to pastures or mountains.

Economy

The hills and lower sides of Görmeli are not suited to farming. The Inhabitants mostly support themselves by growing and selling fruits,vegetables, dairy products, or stock breeding. "Görmeli's Grapes" are very famous, there are many grapes gardens in all fields, but also apple, fig, walnut, pomegranate trees are growing too. Every family has animals, several goats ,a cow, chickens. Sheep isn't preferred by the peasants as this animal can not adapt mountainous land. In addition the peasants don't eat sheep meat. Recent years,people grow vaccinated-special fruit saplings on the higher plateaus of the village. This economic activity also contributes budget of village box.

Neighbourhoods

Görmeli village is divided into six neighbourhoods (capital one in bold):

• Boyalık
• Tekke
• Kışla
• Tuztaşı
• Köyyakası
• Nısa