One of the stops on our Western Black Sea journey was the Cennetağzı Caves, located very close to the Zonguldak Ereğli city center. Because I loved both Ereğli and these caves. Hellmouth Caves I wanted to write a special article. Where are the Cennetağzı caves, how to get there, how much is the entrance fee, the stories and legends of the caves what is all waiting for you in this article.
The reason why it is called "caves" rather than "the cave of Hellağzı" is because there are three caves side by side in the same area. The names of the caves are: Cennetağzı Cave, Church Cave and Ayazma Cave. When these three caves come together, they are known as the Cennetağzı Caves.
What You Will Find In This Article
Hellağzı Caves Video
Video of our visit to the caves of Cennetağzı You can watch it by clicking the image below. If you like my video don't forget to subscribe to my channel.
Where and How to Go to Cennetağzı Caves?
Cennetağzı Caves are located in the Ereğli district of Zonguldak. The ancient name of the neighborhood where the caves are located, within walking distance of the Ereğli city center, was Ayazma, that is, Holy Water. There used to be a stream flowing through the valley where the caves are located. Now there is not much water left.
You have to reach Ereğli to go to the Cennetağzı Caves. The distance between Eregli and Istanbul is around 280 kilometers. It is possible to reach Ereğli from Istanbul with a 3,5-4 hour drive. If you come to a stop on the way, of course, the time may be longer. If you want to go by bus from Istanbul, it takes 5-6 hours and the ticket price is between 80-90 TL.
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The distance between Ereğli and Ankara is around 300 kilometers, and you can reach Ereğli with a 3,5-4 hour drive.
Cennetağzı Caves Entrance Fee
The caves serve as a ruin site affiliated to the Karadeniz Ereğli Museum. If you have a Museum Card, you can enter for free. If you do not have a Museum Card, the entrance fee for 2019 is 7 TL.
At the entrance of the cave, there are also shops where handicrafts and souvenirs belonging to the Ereğli region are sold.
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The History of Cennetağzı Caves
The source of the popularity of these caves is based on many legends. Below I share the known of these legends.
The Legend of Hercules
King Eurystheus gives 12 tasks to Hercules (Heracles) to show his power. The most difficult and the last of these 12 quests is the quest to kidnap the Hellhound Kerberus from the Land of the Dead. Until then, no mortal had ever returned from the Land of the Dead. Heracles comes to Ereğli to fulfill this mission, and with the help of Hermes and Athena, he brings the Hellhound Kerberus to the surface. However, when the king sees the dog, he is terrified, and Hercules returns the dog to the Land of the Dead. The place where Hercules brought Cerberus out of the Land of the Dead is called Hellmouth.
Divination Center
It is known that these caves were one of the two most important oracle centers of antiquity. The other oracle center is considered to be the Greek city of Delphi.
Love story
Another myth about caves is a love story. The daughter of the city chief falls in love with the servant in the house. Of course, his father does not allow this love and they run away from home together. They come to the Hellağzı Caves and hide here. Hell's demon also protects these two lovers against the dangers that may come from outside. Tekfur cannot enter the cave, but he calls out to two lovers from outside, "become stones," and the lovers are turned into stones.
One of the First Places of Worship of Christians
These caves were used for religious purposes for a long time, and they were used as a place of worship by the first Christians during the periods when paganism and widespread Christianity were prohibited.
Church Cave
I mentioned that the Cennetağzı Caves consist of three caves. The first cave you come across when you enter the ruins is Church Cave.
This is the cave used as a place of worship mentioned in the legends above. Some of the floor mosaics inside the cave are still intact. Inside this cave, which has no depth, the part used for baptism is still intact.
Hellmouth Cave
With a short walk from the Church Cave, this time we reach the Hellağzı Cave, which is the subject of the Legend of Hercules and gives its name to these caves. The cave entrance is pretty narrow, it must have been really hard to get the hellhound out of here. There is a large pool inside the cave. The walls, which seem to have been shaped by human hands, and the silhouette of the Virgin Mary are the remarkable parts of this cave.
In addition to the legend above, it is said that the ferns that grow in this region are made of the foam that the Hellhound Kerberos barks.
Ayazma Cave
Ayazma Cave can be reached with a short walk from Cennetağzı Cave. Although this is a natural cave, it seems that the ceiling was shaped by hand. There is a large pond inside the cave. Since the water in the cave, which was used in the Roman and Byzantine periods, was believed to be sacred, special ceremonies were held here.
If you come to Karadeniz Ereğli, you should definitely stop by these caves, I enjoyed visiting.
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