| CAVERNS OF ANTALYA
Geyikbayırı Cavern
Location: Antalya
The cavern is at the Geyikbayırı village which
is 26 km to Antalya. In order to reach
Geyikbayırı village, Çakırlar Köyü which is to
the west from Antalya could be used. To reach
the cavern, a 5 minute trekking from the center
of the village is enough.
Properties: The deepest point of the
cave with a total length of 120 m is 6.5 meters
in respect to the entrance. The cavern was found
precious enough for cave tourism and the studies
are still progressing. The cavern displays
generally dry characteristics but it is
sometimes in the kind of active cavern. It is
completely dry in summer months. In precipitant
seasons, as the floor water level rises, the
floor of the cavern is flooded. The temperature
inside the cavern is mostly cool according to
the open air in summer. In Autumn, the
temperature displays equivalence with the open
air temperature.
Karain Cavern
Location:
Antalya
The cave is found inside the borders of Yağca
Village which is at 5 - 6 km. distance to the
old Antalya - Burdur highway, 30 km northwest of
Antalya.
Properties: The Karain cave which is
one of the greatest natural caves of Turkey, is
150 m high from the travertine valley in front,
ve430-450 m. high from the sea.
The cave stands in the period of the
beginning of the history of the mankind, as the
cavern was continuously accommodated by early
humans during the prehistoric and classic
periods starting from lower Paleolithic, medium
and high Paleolithic, Neolithic, Calcolithic and
Ancient Bronze stages. As a natural result of
this, the cavern contains a thick cultural layer
which can be 11 meters. But the longest and most
important accommodation period of the cave is
relevant with the Paleolithic period.
The usage at the classical period is more
likely as an Offering Cave(Temple) and there are
Greek inscriptions and niches at the cave
exterior walls and ceiling. The archeological
findings discovered from the archeological
excavations done inside Karain Cave are
displayed at the Antalya Museum and at the
Karain Museum which is just near the cave.
Kocain Cave
Location: Antalya
The cave is on the 45 km. north of Antalya at
Indag Mountain. It is possible to reach Kocain
Cave by Karatas - Camiliköy - Ahirtas Village
road which is branched from Burdur-Antalya
highway at least 20 km away from Antalya city.
Properties: The cave contains the
widest entrance and one section largest gallery
of Turkey. There are 50-60 m. high pillars and a
cistern from the Roman period inside the cavern.
The cave was formed from two extremely large
saloons and the entrance is 35x70 meters wide.
Konakaltı Cave
Location: Antalya
The cave is at the falezli coast of Atatürk Park
in Antalya. To
Küçükdipsiz Cave
Location: Antalya
It is at the southern slope of Alakaya Hill
(661m.), which is the continuance of Tünek Tepe
(618m.) towards southwest.
Properties: The kind of the cave is
dry and horizontal and the total length of the
cave is 74 m, and the deepest point of the cave
in respect to the entrance is 27.5 m. After a
narrow entrance, the cave continues towards
northwest with an approximate inclination of
25º. Towards the end of the cave, the frequency
of travertine stalactites and stalagmites are
increased. As the karstic floor waters stay at
higher parts, the cave is always dry. The cave
is chilly when compared with the open air. When
the temperature of the open air is 20ºC, it is
17ºC at the end of the cave.
Papazyakası Cave
Location: Antalya
It is at the sideways of the stairs descending
to the sea from the rear garden of the Antalya
City Club.
Properties: The cave is at the middle
of the travertine step descending towards the
sea, at 20 m. height from the sea. The total
length of the cave is 149 meters. There is no
water or pond inside the cave. The development
of the cave had been halted. The cave floor had
become rough ground with climbs and downwards
and sometimes becomes very narrow because of the
rock blocks falling from the ceiling of the cave.
The number of the stalactite and stalagmites are
at very low numbers. There is no air current.
The Papazkayası cave is totally formed among
a crack in the direction of north - south.
Antalya travertine, are related completely with
Cuaterner, possibly Pleistocene periods with
their average thickness of 250-300 m. The cave
is located below the shore cliff of 40 m.
height.
Yerköprü Cavern
Location: Antalya
Properties: The cave, with the total
length of 110 m. has the deepest point at 27
meters in respect to the cave entrance. The
development of the cave had been halted. Because
of the connection with the sea, the cave could
be called as "marine cave" The cave is dry. The
floor of the saloon having the connection with
the sea is partially covered with sea water. The
temperature of the cave is relationally chilly
when compared with the open air.
The Yerköprü Cave is formed by the collapsing
of a cave with initial minimum length of 150
meters among the east - west direction totally
inside Antalya travertine.
It is planned to be utilized as cafeteria,
casino or restaurant because of its size.
Altınbeşik Cave
Location:
Antalya, Akseki
The cave is located at the western slope of the
deep and very steep Manavgat Valley which is to
the east of Ürdünlü village of Akseki District.
It takes about one hour of walking to the cave
from the village.
Properties: The cave, with the total
length of 2500 m. has the highest point at +101
meters in respect to the cave entrance. It is a
horizontal and partially active cavern. As the
lower and medium parts of the cavern are
sometimes active, small lakes are formed at the
dry seasons most of the time. The upper level is
always dry. The air of the cave is very humid
and the average temperature is around 16-18ºC.
No animal groups drawing attention are
encountered.
Altınbeşik Cave is one of the most beautiful
caves of Turkey. The karstic topography of the
environment and the pine forests exhibit a
marvellous spectacle. The cave is at the exit
end of a very long and big underground system.
This big system pulling Kızılova, Kambos and
Söbücesuyu ends at the Altınbeşik - Düdensuyu
Cave under the Oruç Sinkhole Cave. Therefore,
this underground water system with a length
exceeding 100 km is one of the longest and
biggest karst systems of the world.
Big rock blocks are interesting at the high
levels of the cave which loose the activity
totally. Among these there are stalactite and
stalagmites. The first 200 meters via the cave
entrance forms the lower level and is
permanently under water. Through the end of the
lower level, there is a steep climb of 40 m.
This climb and adjasent walls are covered with
thick travertine of white color. This forms the
most beautiful location of the cave. .
Gürleyik Cave
Location: Antalya, Akseki District
The cave is located near the Eynir Polje, which
is approximately at a distance of 12-13 km. to
Aydınkent (İbradi) in northwest. It is
approximately at 500 - 600 m distance to the
road, at the right side after trespassing Başlar
village. But reaching the cave is very hard
because of the big limestone blocks on the path.
Properties: After entering the cave,
in the first course, a descend from a mouth at
25 m width by stairs is necessary. Especially in
spring, it is hard and dangerous to proceed
forward with boat because of the high amount of
water inside and because of the presence of the
sharp and pointed limestone tips at the cave
surface. In August, the water level falls and
small lakes are formed.
Kocadüden Cave
Location: Antalya, Akseki District
The cave is located at the southwest edge of the
Akseki Polje. The track separated from the
Akseki-Bucakkışla road at 4th kilometer passes
very near to the cave.
Properties: Although the cave has
horizontal localities, it mostly develops
vertically and decreases down to 155 meters like
stairs.
Koca Düden, which drains the surface waters
of Akseki Polje river basin is developed on an
important fault line formed by the Upper Creates
Limestone. Koca Düden holds numerous lakes
within and ends with a closed siphon.
Oruç Düdeni Cave
Location: Antalya, Akseki District
The cave is on the path of the incoming
underwater flows to Altınbeşik - Düdensuyu Cave.
Properties The total length is 52 meters. It
is about the collapse because of the operation
caused by the underwater creek passing through
the lower levels of the cave.
Dim (Gavurini) Cave
Location: Antalya, Alanya District
The cave is located at the locality of Kuzkaya
village. It is at the west slope of the Cebireis
mountain (1691 m.) at the east of Alanya.
Reaching the cave by walking is possible either
via the Dim creek valley or via the Yaylalı
village at the south. To reach the cave from
Yaylalı village, a walk of 50 minutes following
the watering channels at the skirts of the
Cebireis mountain is required.
Properties The total length of the cave is
357 meters and the cave is horizontal and dry.
There is only a quiet small lake towards the end
of the cave.
Dim cave is one of the most beautiful caves
of Turkey. It is suitable for a visit as is at
the vicinity of Alanya and as the environment is
covered with forests and picnic sites. Because
the cave was used as a shelter by prehistoric
and historic periods, the cave was called as
"Gavurini Cave" by the local people.
Beldibi Cave
Location: Antalya
The cave is an under - rock shelter located at
the 40th kilometer of the coastal highway
between Antalya - Kemer, just after the Çamdağ
tunnel. It is at the locality of Oba village.
Properties: The cave is at 25 m.
height from the coast and is in the shape of a
shelter. As the cave is damaged extensively by
natural destruction, the filling layers are
flown away by rain waters and winds.
6 layers containing totally Mesolotic
cultures were determined. The cultures found
inside this cave display similarities with the
alizarin, solitarian and tardenovasior cultures
of Europe. At the excavations, Flintstones tools
belonging to Upper Paleolithic and Mesolotic
periods were obtained. Also, at the walls of
this under - rock shelter, human, mountain goat
and deer drawing sketches are present. The cave
is an archeological side which is continuously
open to local and foreign tourists.
Büyük Dipsiz Cave
Location: Antalya
The cave is located at the south slope of
Alakaya Hill (661 m.) which is at the west of
Antalya port 3 km. southwest of Tünek Hill.
Properties: The cave, with the total
length of 40 m. has the deepest point at 29
meters in respect to the cave entrance. As the
karstic floor water is present at the above
layers, the cave is dry. The cave is more chilly
than open air. The temperature outside is 20ºC
at the beginning of November though the
temperature inside the cave is 17ºC.
The cave is formed between the Creates aged
residual limestone and by the conglomerate
limestone formations of the same age just below
this layer. After a narrow entrance, with an
average slope of 25º the cave proceeds towards
north.
Damlataş Cave
Location:
Antalya, Alanya District
The cave is located inside the borders of Alanya
and is at the coast. It is 3 km away from the
city center.
Properties: The total length of the
cave is 30 m. and is dry ve horizontal. It
covers an area of total 200 m. The cave is 15
meters high and has a marvelous vision formed by
numerous stalactite and stalagmites. With the
carbon dioxide gas, high humidity, low
temperature and radioactive atmosphere, the cave
is extremely beneficial for asthmatic patients.
Therefore the asthmatic patients form the most
dense visitor groups. The formation period of
the stalactite and stalagmites inside the cave
are estimated to be between BC 20.000-15.000
years.
Derya Cave
Location: Antalya
The cave is located inside the Atatürk Park
which is between the Konyaaltı Street and coast.
Properties: The total length of the
cave is 124 m. and the deepest point in respect
to the entrance is at 35.65 meters. The cave is
vertical. As the south section of the cave is
inside the sea, it could be named as "marine
cave". The cave is dry and its development had
been halted. The sections which are at the sea
are covered with the partially salted sea water.
There are a small amount of stalagmite and
wall travertine developed at the grand hall
though towards south the amount of stalagmite ve
stalactite increases. In this section, sweet
water springs gush out of cracks and mix to sea
water. There is a second exit to the 40 m west
of the main entrance. With the width of 0,5
meters ve1 meters length, the entrance is seen
as a widened crack.
Air is relatively chilly in respect to open
air in summer.
Çimeniçi Cave
Location: Antalya, Alanya District
Çimenini cave is located at the vicinity of
Şıhlar (old name Şeyhler) village, at the
southern skirts of Cebireas mountain , to the
east of Alanya. Reaching to the Şıhlar village
is by the 15 km stabilized road branched from
Konya- Gazipaşa highway in Demirtaş sub district
and from this village the cave is at a short
walking distance. There are historic remains and
traces of Romans around the vicinity of the
cave.
Properties: The Total length of the
cave is 10 meters and except for a steep climb
it is totally horizontal. Because the thickness
of the limestone in which the cave has developed
is in a limited and congested area, the cave is
totally dry hydrological. The atmosphere of the
cave is relatively chilly when compared with
open air. The average temperature is around 17ºC
- 20ºC.
The cave has been formed by numerous
connected chambers and two layers. The cave has
a single aperture among the direction of East,
Southeast - West initially and later the
chambers were formed as the aperture was divided
by travertine pillars. There are numerous
chambers at the primary section and is
completely horizontal.
The cave then proceeds to the second section
via a steep climb of + 57 meters. This section
of the cave is +10 meters higher than the
entrance and is formed by two big chambers. The
cave is extremely rich on the basis of
travertine deposition. The travertine pillars
forming the chambers cover most of the space.
The side walls are decorated with drapery
travertine.
This cave is interesting because of the
beauties of the natural formations and
accompanying historic remains in the vicinity.
The usage at the historic periods ware
understood though no written documents were
revealed by the recent studies. The cave has not
been involved in the touristic locations.
Mahrumçalı Cave
Location: Antalya, Manavgat District
The cave is located to the east of Mahrumçalı
quarter which is to the east of Gebecek village
northeast of Manavgat. Reaching the cave is
possible via all sorts of vehicles.
Properties: The total length of the
cave is 157 m. and the deepest point in respect
to the entrance is at - 36 meters. The cave is
semi horizontal and semi active. Water flows
inside the cave only in the precipitant seasons.
The temperature of the cave in summer months is
around 16 - 18ºC.
Geology - Geomorphology The cave is developed
at the contact point between the Cebireis
formation and the Mahmutlar formation which is
below. The cave is inside the dolomithic
limestone and over the micaschist layers and
dives towards south by 15 degrees concordant
with the curvature of both layers.
Peynirdeliği Cave
Location: Antalya, Kemer District
The cave is located at the Gedelme Plateau
locality. There is a road connecting Kemer
district to Gedelme plateau. With a short walk
of approximately 4 minutes is necessary to reach
to the cave entrance from the village center.
There is a historic wall and ruins belonging to
Byzantium at 65 m. north of the cave.
Properties: The total length of the
cave is 74 meters and the deepest point in
respect to the entrance is at - 19 meters. The
cave is dry and is mostly vertical.
Most part of the cave is dry. There is only a
small lake at the end and the deepest point of
the cave. The temperature of the cave is 17ºC in
Autumn. As the cave entrance is relatively large,
the temperature of the inner cave changes
relatively to the conditions of open air.
There are stalactite, stalagmite and pillars
developed inside the cave. The surrounding
natural beauties and historic ruins makes the
cave more attractive.
Tilkiler
Cave
Location: The cave is located inside
the area of Oymapınar Dam at Manavgat District,
Antalya.
Properties: The cave has developed
horizontally and is an active cave with a total
length of 7 meters. The water level inside the
cave rises in spring.
The cave had been discovered by encountering
a natural gallery during the construction of
injection galleries of the dam. As the cave has
been developed inside Conglomerate, the cave has
significant scientific value.
Sırtlanini Cave
Location: Antalya, Kemer District
The cave is located between Yukarı Çamarası
and Narlıgedik villages of Karacasu sub district.
Reaching the cave from both of the villages is
possible. A walk of 20 - 25 minutes from
Narlıgedik village is necessary to reach the
cave. The cave is close to the Aphrodisias ruins.
Properties: The total length of the
cave is 348 meters (Main Gallery: 147 m.) and
the deepest point in respect to the cave
entrance is at -32 meters. It is a horizontal
and dry cave.
The cave starts with a very narrow mouth.
After 4 - 5 meters the main cave opening is
reached. The saloon is divided into 5 - 6
sections by the pillars developed side by side
and finally forming walls. All of the chambers
connected to this saloon is decorated with
stalactite, stalagmite and pillars. As the
temperature outside is 28ºC and the relative
humidity is 44 percent, the temperature inside
the cave is 17ºC and the humidity amount is 85
percent.
Aslanlı (Yaren) Cave
Location: Antalya, Manavgat District
The cave is located at the Plateau locality of
Kirazlı Village. In order to reach to Aslanlı
Cave, a walk of about 30 minutes is necessary,
starting from the Dereboğazı locality which is
at the 3rd kilometer of Kirazlı - Kuşadası road.
Properties: The total length of the
cave is 110 meters and the cave is partially
horizontal, partially vertical. It is a dry cave.
The temperature in October is 18ºC.
The cave has developed inside the dolomithic
marble of Mesozoic age and on a large fault.
After a steep downwards descent of 6 meters, the
cave descends towards west with 26 degrees among
a big fault roughly in the direction of east -
west, and after 40 meters the cave enlarges and
the floor looks like an inclined saloon. The
floor of the saloon is covered with muddy ground
and rock blocks fallen from the ceiling. The
stalactite and stalagmites formed drapery and
flag travertine on the walls. The name of the
cave comes from one of the stalagmite which
looks like a sitting lion. |