SPELUNKING
CAVERNS OF ANTALYA
Geyikbayýrý Cavern
Location: Antalya
The cavern is at the Geyikbayýrý village which
is 26 km to Antalya. In order to reach Geyikbayýrý
village, Çakýrlar 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 Yaðca 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.
Konakaltý 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.
Papazyakasý 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 Papazkayasý 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.
Altýnbeþik 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.
Altýnbeþik 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 Kýzýlova,
Kambos and Söbücesuyu ends at the Altýnbeþik
- 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 Aydýnkent (Ýbradi)
in northwest. It is approximately at 500 - 600 m distance
to the road, at the right side after trespassing Baþlar
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-Bucakkýþla
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 Altýnbeþik - 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 Yaylalý
village at the south. To reach the cave from Yaylalý
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 Çamdað 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.
Damlataþ 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 Konyaaltý 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 Þýhlar
(old name Þeyhler) village, at the southern skirts
of Cebireas mountain , to the east of Alanya. Reaching to
the Þýhlar village is by the 15 km stabilized
road branched from Konya- Gazipaþa highway in Demirtaþ
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.
Mahrumçalý Cave
Location: Antalya, Manavgat District
The cave is located to the east of Mahrumçalý
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.
Peynirdeliði 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 Oymapýnar
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.
Sýrtlanini Cave
Location: Antalya, Kemer District
The cave is located between Yukarý Çamarasý
and Narlýgedik villages of Karacasu sub district.
Reaching the cave from both of the villages is possible.
A walk of 20 - 25 minutes from Narlýgedik 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.
Aslanlý (Yaren) Cave
Location: Antalya, Manavgat District
The cave is located at the Plateau locality of Kirazlý
Village. In order to reach to Aslanlý Cave, a walk
of about 30 minutes is necessary, starting from the Dereboðazý
locality which is at the 3rd kilometer of Kirazlý
- Kuþadasý 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.
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