There are approximately 40 000 caves in Turkey which provide an important tourist attraction for the country. There are such a high number due to kastification in the west and central Taurus Mountains. The Cavern Research Society (MAD) established in 1964 initially monitored and investigates these caves, a role which has been taken up by Bosphorus University Cavern Research Club (BÜMAK) and Karst and Cavern Exploration Unit (under the MTA Geology Studies Department). 800 caves and caverns have been investigated thus far.

List

The following is an incomplete list of caves in Turkey, from [1].

Antalya

• Geyikbayiri Cavern
• Karain Cavern
• Kocain Cave
• Küçükdipsiz Cave
• Papazkayasi Cave
• Yerköprü Cavern
• Gürleyik Cave
• Kocadüden Cave
• Oruçdüdeni Cave
• Gavurini Cave (also called Dim Cave )
• Beldibi Cave
• Damlatas Cave
• Derya Cave
• Çimeniçi Cave
• Mahrumçali Cave
• Peynirdeligi Cave
• Tilkiler Cave
• Altinbesik Cave
• Büyükdipsiz Cave

Aydin

• Karaca Maðarasý
• Aslanlý Maðarasý

Bartin

• Gürcüoluk Cave

Burdur

• Insuyu Cave

Bursa

• Ayvaini Cave
• Oylat Cave

Denizli

• Kaklik Cave

Eskisehir

• Sarikaya Cave
• Yelinüstü Cave
• Yelini Cave

Elazig

• Buzluk Cave

Gümüshane

• Karaca Cave

Hatay

• Sariseki Cave

Isparta

• Zindan Cave
• Inönü Cave
• Kuz Cave
• Ayiini Cave
• Pinargözü Cave

Izmir

• Inkaya Cave
• Kurudag Cave

Karaman

• Hislayik Cave

Kastamonu

• Ilgarini Cave
• Sarpunalinca Cave
• Kuyluç Cave

Kirklareli

• Dupnisa Cave System

Konya

• Balatini Cave
• Körükini Cave
• Büyükdüden Cave
• Tinaztepe Cave System

Kütahya

• Caves of Frig Valley

Mersin

• Yalan Dünya Cave
• Cennet Cave (Paradise Pit)
• Cehennem Cave (Hell Pit)
• Narlikuyu Cave

Sinop

• Inalti Cave

Tokat

• Kunduz Cave
• Ballica Cave

Trabzon

• Çalköy Cave
• Akarsu Village Cave

Zonguldak

• Gökgöl Cave
• Kizilelma Cave
• Inagzi Cave
• Cumayani Cave

External Links

• Website featuring articles on caves