Karain Cave, Antalya – Where, Entrance Fee, History

One of Turkey's largest natural caves Karain Cave, It was discovered in 1946 and studies have revealed that it was used as a settlement 500.000 years ago. It is one of the important historical and cultural places of Anatolia, with the feature of being the largest cave in Turkey where humans have lived. Where is Karain Cave, how to get there, entrance fee, visiting hours, history, finds and everything you wonder about waiting for you in this article.

A Brief About Karain Cave

Karain is a cave formed on the limestone slopes of Mount Damascus. The cave has seven cavities separated by calcite walls. I call them galleries. There is a shelter to the east of the cave where people live, and this shelter is called "Dölin".

To reach the cave, you have to climb 498 steps, about 150 meters up stairs. At the point where the stairs end, you reach the entrance you see in the photo above. When you enter inside, you encounter a large gallery, and when you continue down the stairs from the gallery, you reach a second large gallery. There are many bats in this second gallery, if you're going to hear them, don't be afraid, they won't touch you unless you hurt them. But their voices are a little chilling, no lie.

Apart from the main galleries, two more cavities are visible outside. However, it is locked with iron to prevent entry. In other words, the part you can enter and see is the part where there are two large galleries.

Karain Cave History

Karain, one of the lecturers of Ankara University, in 1946. Dr. It was discovered by İsmail Kılıç Kökten. Mr. Kökten's excavations continued between 1946 and 1973. Since 1985, Prof.Dr. Işın Yalçınkaya continues the excavations.

According to the finds unearthed as a result of the excavations, the history of the cave dates back to 500.000 years ago. Life continued in this cave until the 4th century AD and hosted various civilizations. Based on these data, the cave was included in the Unesco World Cultural Heritage Tentative List in 1994, and studies are continuing for it to be included in the permanent list.

Places in Turkey on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List

Karain Cave Finds

The cave is among the important caves of not only Anatolia but also the world in terms of human history. I've summarized the key finds below:

• The finds inside the cave shed light on many different periods. Relics of human history before food production (Paleolithic and Epipalaeolithic periods) and after food production (from Neolithic) have been found. Chipped stone, ground stone, pottery, crushed and grinding stones, bone tools, portable works of art, ornamental objects, coins and oil lamps are among the finds. Some of the finds are on display at the Karain Museum near the cave, and some at the Antalya Museum.
• The finds shed light on all phases of hunter-gatherer life, which covered more than 99% of human history.
• The earliest known human remains in Anatolia were found at Karain: Remains of human skeletons, teeth and lower jaws dating to the Neanderthal period have been found.
• The portable art products unearthed in the cave are considered to be the first examples of Anatolian art.
• The plant and animal remains found during the excavations both give an idea of ​​the prehistoric period of the region and reveal the food sources of our ancestors.

Who Lived in Karain Cave

It would not be a lie to say who did not live in Karain. Karain is one of the rare caves in the world where settlements were seen in all prehistoric (Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Old Bronze) periods with its lower, middle and upper layers. This layering also gives us an idea of ​​the migration routes between Europe and the Near East. It is known that the cave was inhabited until the late Roman period. In recent times, it has been used as a votive cave (temple), and there are Greek inscriptions and niches on the cave's forehead and outer walls.

If you are planning to visit Karain, start your sightseeing route from Karain. Termessos Ancient City You can continue with If Güver Canyon is closed as of 2021 but is open to visitors, you can add it to your trip.

Karain Cave 2021 Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours

Karain Cave 2021 entrance fee is 12,5 TL, if you have a Museum Card, you can enter it for free.

The cave can be visited between 10:00-15:30 in the summer period (between April and October), and between 08:30 and 17:30 in the winter period (between November and March). It is closed to visitors on Mondays.

Where is Karain Cave? How to go?

Karain is located 37 kilometers north of Antalya. At the 26th kilometer of the Antalya-Korkuteli road, from the turn where the Termessos Ancient City junction is, you will reach the cave when you turn in the opposite direction, not towards Güllük Mountain, towards Yağca Village and continue for 11 kilometers. The road to Yagca Village is fine. From the village, the road narrows and deteriorates a little, but it is still asphalt, so you can easily reach it by any car. There is a large car park at the entrance of the cave, you can leave your car in the car park and visit the cave safely.

karain click for location.

The most convenient way to reach the cave is to go by private vehicle. If you are staying in the center of Antalya and do not have a car, you can join daily tours or rent a car. suitable for your budget Click for car rental options.

Karain is a natural cave carved into the calcareous slopes of Mount Damascus. It is located 450 meters above sea level and 150 meters above the travertine plain lying in front of it. To climb this height, you reach the entrance of the cave by climbing 498 steps.

498 steps sounds like little, but it's too much for the legs. Fortunately, benches are placed at many points along the stairs to rest. The benches look down on the plain below, and if you go in the spring like me, it is very enjoyable to watch the lush and colorful view of the plain. You can also see the road leading to the cave from the stairs along with the plain.

Karain Cave Photos

Karain photos included in this article are listed below. You can see the plain, stairs, entrance sections and interior galleries of the cave in detail in these photographs.

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Karain Cave Video

Below is my video about the places I visited and visited the Ancient City of Karain and Termessos. Don't forget to like my video and subscribe to my channel.

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