Caverns of Antalya CAVERNS OF ANTALYA Photo: Ferit ALTÜRK Caverns of Antalya TURKISH REPUBLIC GOVERNORSHIP OF ANTALYA Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism www.antalyakulturturizm.gov.tr Prepared by Saadet BAYKAN Culture and Tourism Expert Photo Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism Archive, Ferit ALTÜRK, Abdullah ÇATLI, Demre District Governorship Archive, Seyfi AKSOY, Akseki District Governorship Archive, Akseki Kuyucak Municipality Archive, Haþim YETKIN, Alanya Municipality Archive, Finike Municipality Archive, Mehmet BOYACI, Gündoðmuþ District Governorship Archive, Erol ÞALVARLI, Gökhan TÜRE, Kamil KARAYAZI, Konyaaltý Municipality Archive, Isa ALEMDAR, Ismail ÞEN, Harun TAÞKIRAN, Emrah YEÞIL. D Publication Kutlu&Avcý Ofset Matbaacýlýk THEA +90 242 346 85 85 www.kutluavci.com.tr S MASTHEAD Antalya, 2012 MA Caverns of Antalya Antalya ..............................................1 Ibradı ...............................................49 INDEX Altınbeşik Cave .........................51 Akseki ...............................................7 INDEX Düdencik Cave ............................9 Kaş ..................................................53 Sakaltutan Cave ........................10 Inbaş Cave .................................55 Bucakalan Cave ........................11 Bayındır Cave ............................56 Bağırcak Cave ...........................12 Hıdırellez Cave ..........................57 Suini Cave .................................13 Aşırlı Adası Cave .......................58 Mavi Cave .................................59 Alanya ..............................................15 Güvercinlik Cave .......................60 Damlataş Cave ..........................17 Güvercin Ini Cave ......................61 Dim Cave ...................................18 Kekova Island ...........................62 Kadıini Cave ..............................19 Hasbahçe Cave ..........................20 Kemer ..............................................63 Korsanlar Cave .........................21 Peynirdeliği Cave (Gedelme) ...........65 Âşıklar Cave ..............................22 Büyük Cavern ...........................66 Fosforlu Cave ............................23 Derin Cave ................................67 Rambo Cave ...............................24 Orta Cave ..................................25 Konyaaltı .........................................69 Akyarlar Cave ...........................71 Demre..............................................27 Beldibi Cave ..............................72 Çamlıca Cave ............................29 Korsan Cave ..............................30 Muratpaşa .......................................73 Fener Cave ................................75 Döşemealtı ......................................31 Karain Cavern ...........................33 Serik ................................................77 Kocain Cave ..............................34 Zeytintaşı Cave ..........................79 Suluin Cave ...............................35 Güvercinlik Cave .......................36 Finike ...............................................37 Suluin Cave ...............................39 Gazipaşa ..........................................41 Yalan Dünya Cave .....................43 Gündoğmuş .....................................45 Çeyiz Deliği Cave .......................47 Gedefi Cave (Kilise Cave) ...............48 Caverns of Antalya Getting Started... is the seals. Mediterranean seal, Mona- INTRODUCTION chus monachus, is one the rarest sea Caves should be protected without ignor- ing that they are real culture properties. mammals and they are critically on the In terms of protecting one of the most verge of extinction. Mediterranean seals, important beauties to be handed down being less than 400, are totally extinct on to the next generations, unauthorized the west Mediterranean coast. They are INTRODUCTION excavations and depredations should be trying to hold on to dear life away from prevented. human constraint in the caves and reefs Caves are areas where life threatening on the Greek and Turkish coasts. Medi- situations may be at stake if not acted terranean seals are protected with the cautiously enough and when necessary international agreements that are also precautions aren’t taken. Risks in the signed by Turkey. There is a notification caves generally originate from the cave of Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, habitat. Yet, in addition to the dangers Agriculture and Livestock in Chapter 5 present in the cave itself, the basic faults of Fisheries Circular stating that “It is to be committed by individuals pose risks forbidden to use lighting, dive with any as well. Insufficient or ragged equip- equipment or fish any fisheries in caves ments, ignorance of boundaries, uncon- trolled actions rank among these basic where seals live.” faults which are absolutely never to be Sea caves located in Antalya Üç Adalar neglected. In order to minimize the risks (Islands), sea caves surrounding Kekova in the cave, speleologists have to take the Island, Mavi Cave near Kaş and other necessary precautions before entering the cave. sheltered caves are actively being used by the Mediterranean seals. These caves In the same manner, cave diving is a in particular have the potential to become type of technical diving which requires breeding caves for seals in winter. Un- competent and disciplined training and fortunately, during the summer season, equipment gains much more impor- tance compared to other types of diving some tour operators and some tourists because of the excess of risks it carries. insensibly enter these caves by diving As it has different standards in terms of or by vessels causing seals to abandon equipment and technicality from open these caves for the summer. Some of the water diving, no matter how much expe- caves are still being abandoned in win- rienced the individual may be, he/she has ter as they are still being considered as to have taken private training. dangerous. Unfortunately, there aren’t The most important element of cave many caves fit for seals to resort, hide diving is the diver to be able to mental- or breed like the aforementioned ones ly control him/herself, to have mental and nuisances to these caves caused by alertness during diving and to be able to people substantially harm the preserva- handle pressure and deal with problems tion works concerning the species and without getting into panic. Therefore, their future. Please don’t enter and warn cave diving is not suitable for all. people who enter these caves which are One other important issue about caves protected by the law. Caverns of Antalya Antalya CAVERNS of ANTALYA Clock Tower and Yivli Minaret 1 Caverns of Antalya A MEDITERRANEAN ANTALYA dive at multiple spots on the beach line. Köprüçay which is within the bounda- ntalya is named as “Earthly Heav- ries of Köprülü Canyon National Park en” owing to the archeological and A is one of the most attractive rafting lo- natural beauties it possesses. Com- f ANTALY cations. Besides, Manavgat River has muning with enthralling cohesion of courses suitable for rafting. Düden sea, sun, history and nature, Antalya o Waterfalls are located 10 km. far from possesses the most beautiful and city centre. The main source of the clean coasts of the Mediterranean and falls spilling off 20 m. high is located at there are ancient cities, ancient docks, Kırkgöz. Lower Düden Falls are 8 km. S mausoleums, bays like lace, beaches, from the city center on the Lara route. verdant forestry and rivers along the The waters of the Lower Düden Falls 642 km. long coastline. drop off a 40 m. high rocky cliff. Altınbeşik Cave, Bey Mountains, Gül- Only some dungeons in the city, Had- lük Mountain, Köprülü Canyon Na- rian’s Gate and towers near it, the big tional Park, Alacadağ, Çığlıkara and tower facing the harbour and some Dibek Nature Reserves are located in parts of the city walls of the harbour Antalya. have survived until today in the town Due to its geographical position, four centre. Kaleiçi, known as “The His- seasons can be experienced at the toric Heart of The City” of Antalya, has same time whereas one can swim in become an attractive centre of tourism CAVERNS of ANTALYA AVERN the sea on the beachside; it is possible with its guesthouses, bars, shops and for one to ski at Saklıkent just 50 km restaurants. Hadrian’s Gate (The Three away from the city centre or to scuba Gates) is the only city gate that has sur- CSo C 22 Caverns of Antalya in Karain, the portable artifacts ob- ANTALYA tained in the cave are the primary art- istries embodying Anatolian art. ANTALYA vived with a tower on either side until Yivli Minaret and Complex, Kesik Mina- present day. ret Mosque, Balbey Mosque, Muratpaşa Mosque, Iskele Mosque, Karatay Ma- Termessos is on a 1050 m. altitude drasah, Ahi Yusuf Mosque and Shrine plateau to the west of Güllük Mountain (Ahi Yusuf Mescidi ve Türbesi) are which is a National Park 34 km south- amongst the important monuments. west of Antalya. The 4200-seat theatre, With its boulevards decorated with Agora, the heroic memorial of Hereon, palms at the town centre, international a Corinthian-style temple, the Temple award-winning marina, Kaleiçi (Old of Zeus, the Lesser and Greater Tem- Town); an adorable historical city with ples of Artemis, the gymnasium and its vernacular architecture and with its the watch towers are the other impor- modern sites; Turkey’s most attrac- tant remains. In addition to this, there tive centre of tourism Antalya hosts are