Belemedik

Geography

Belemedik at 37°21′N 34°54′E is in Pozantı district of Adana Province. It is a secluded mountain village situated at the west bank of Çakıt River ( a tributary of the Seyhan River) in Toros Mountains. The only means of access to Belemedik is via a road from Pozantı at the north. Distance to Pozantı is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) and to Adana is 122 kilometres (76 mi). The altitude of the village at the river bank is about 700 metres (2,300 ft) with respect to sea level.

History

In the early years of the 20th century, the population of the village was of Turkmen origin, also called Tahtacı (tahta means wood), referring to their employment in forestry. In 1907 Belemedik became the center of railroad construction activities of the Philipp Holzmann company within the scope of Berlin-Baghdad Railway, one of the most prestigious transportation projects of the early 20th century. The population of the village increased by the inlux of Turks as well as the German construction workers. During the seven years of construction 41 Germans died of natural causes and they were buried in Belemedik. After the World War I Belemedik, like other settlements around Çukurova, was occupied by the French army. The headquarters of the French mountain troops was in Pozantı and nearby Belemedik was used as a site for military hospital. The commander's wife Mme. Mesnil was working as a nurse in the hospital. However, Turkish nationalists (also called Kemalist) captured Belemedik on 10 April 1920. On 28 May the rest of the French troops also surrendered during the battle of Karboğazı. French soldiers including Major and Mme. Mesnil were held captive up to 25 September 1921. During the rest of the war, the hospital in Belemedik was used by the Turkish nationalists. After the war, Belemedik continued to be a stop on the railroad. But because of the lack of agricultural land and landslips in 1969, the population decreased sharply.

Present day Belemedik

The population of the village is only 65. The few people still staying in Belemedik are retired people. Although the few residents enjoy a picturesque scenery and clean air, because of the lack of dwellings, Belemedik is not considered as a yayla (resort).

Trivia

According to one source the name of the village is the corrupt form of the Turkish word Bilemedik meaning We couldn't guess. During the railway construction, each tunnel was bored by two teams working at the opposite sides of the tunnel. The teams were required to meet at the midpoint. When for any reason, one team failed to accomplish the task, the excuse was the word bilemedik and in German pronunciation it became belemedik.