In our continued journey around the Hatay province, we made our way to San Simeon. Perched on the top of a mountain is the former abode of one of my new favorite saints. Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger was one in a series of pillar-sitting hermit saints, and lived atop a pillar for 68 years. I was unaware of the long history of people sitting on pillars, and was surprised to learn that the early 20th century fad of sitting atop flagpoles is also somewhat related, see here and here.
This is what remains of the pillar.
Another view of the pillar, in the center of the image.
Remains of the church surrounding the pillar.
One of the oddest things about the site today is the surrounding windmills. I've never been close to one of these, and they are far larger than I was expecting. You can hear the load whooshing sound every time they rotate around. Its very surreal and hard to ignore.
A line of windmills on the mountain top next to the ruins.
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