Caves in Denizli

Kaklik Cave

Kaklik Cave, located in the Honaz district of Denizli, Turkey, fascinates visitors with its travertines, thermal water pools, and enchanting atmosphere. Also known as “Little Pamukkale” or “Cave Pamukkale”, this natural wonder has been contributing to tourism for 21 years.

Features of the Cave

• Travertines: The most striking feature of the cave is the travertine steps resembling those in Pamukkale. These steps are formed by the precipitation of thermal water in the pools and give the cave a unique appearance.
• Thermal Water Pools: There are thermal water pools of different temperatures in the cave. These waters are known to be beneficial for some skin diseases.
• Enchanting Atmosphere: The interior of the cave is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Mosses in different shades of green and the constant air temperature of 32 degrees Celsius create a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere in the cave.

Keloğlan Cave

Keloğlan Cave, located in the Acıpayam district of Denizli, is one of the most impressive natural wonders of Turkey. Opened to tourism in 2003, the cave fascinates thousands of visitors every year.

Features of the Cave:

• The cave, which is 145 meters long, is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites.
• The most striking feature of the cave is the “Keloğlan Stone”, a stalactite that resembles a human figure.
• The air in the cave is humid and cool.
• The stalactites in the cave are believed to be curative.

Legends About Keloğlan Cave:

There are many legends about Keloğlan Cave. According to the most well-known legend, a shepherd named Keloğlan lived in this cave. Keloğlan was a very intelligent and cunning boy. One day, he encountered a dragon in the cave. Keloğlan used his intelligence to defeat the dragon and became the master of the cave.

Çakırlar Village Cave

Located in the Çal district of Denizli, Çakırlar Village Cave is a natural wonder that attracts attention with its travertine terraces and stalactites and stalagmites similar to the travertine formations of Pamukkale. The cave is located in Çakırlar Village, approximately 20 kilometers from Pamukkale.

Features of the Cave:

• Travertine Formations: The most striking feature of the cave is its travertine terraces, similar to those in Pamukkale. These terraces were formed over the years by the deposition of thermal water.
• Stalactites and Stalagmites: The cave contains stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and sizes. These stalactites and stalagmites give the cave a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere.
• Lighting: The cave is illuminated for visitors. This allows all the beauties of the cave to be easily seen.

Alacain Cave

Alacain Cave, located in the Acıpayam district of Denizli, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey. The cave bears traces of human settlement since the Paleolithic period and is considered one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia.

History:

Excavations carried out in Alacain Cave have shown that the cave was used in the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages. Stone tools, bones and pottery found in the cave provide us with important information about the lifestyles of people living in these periods.

Features of the Cave:

Alacain Cave consists of three main sections. The first section is the entrance part, where artifacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods were found. The second section is narrower and darker, and artifacts from the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages were found here. The third section is the innermost section and has a water source.

Aslanini Cave

Aslanini Cave, located in the Acıpayam district of Denizli, Turkey, is a magnificent natural wonder that was declared a Natural Monument in 2020. The cave is situated within the borders of Dodurgalar Neighborhood, and its entrance coordinates are Y:727648, X:4141464.

Features of the Cave:

• Aslanini Cave has a 230-meter-long and 40-meter-wide entrance.
• The cave contains travertine formations such as stalactites and stalagmites.
• The floor of the cave is made of karst terrain and is fed by groundwater.
• The air in the cave is cool and humid.
• The cave is home to bats and other small creatures.

History of Aslanini Cave:

Not much information is available about the history of Aslanini Cave. It is not known when the cave was first discovered, but it is thought to have been known to the locals for a long time. The cave was declared a Natural Monument in 2020 after studies were conducted.