The plane tree located in the Hıdırbey Neighborhood of Samandağ, on the coastal part of the city, is considered a sacred symbol by the local people. This monumental tree is known as the place where the legendary staff of Prophet Moses was erected and is known as the “Moses Tree”. With its 7.5-meter trunk width, 21-meter circumference and 7-meter height, this natural beauty attracts the attention of visitors from all over the country.
Süleyman Yol, an expatriate who came to Turkey from Germany, said, “We came to see the Moses Tree, it is a very impressive place. It is a wonderful experience to be able to get away from the hot atmosphere of the city and cool off here. I recommend this peaceful environment to everyone. The coolness and natural beauty here really relaxes people.”
One of the residents of the neighborhood, Mevlüt Sağır, explained the legends of the tree as follows: “This unique beauty in our neighborhood attracts the attention of visitors. According to legend, Hazrat Hızır and Hazrat Moses met on Samandağ. When Moses’ staff was planted here, it blossomed and over time it turned into this magnificent plane tree. For this reason, the people called this place the ‘Moses Tree’. According to belief, the staff came to life with the water of the elixir of life and the tree took its current magnificent form over thousands of years.”
The Narrative Has Echoed for Centuries
The Musa Tree is one of the most important natural symbols of the region with its 3,000-year history. With its gigantic size and legendary past, it hosts thousands of visitors every year. This rare heritage of nature, along with its legends, continues to be passed down from mouth to mouth, and continues to impress and fascinate its visitors.
