The Subterranean Calcium Travertines of Kaklik Cave in Pamukkale

The Subterranean Calcium Travertines of Kaklik Cave in Pamukkale

Pamukkale is renowned for its travertines. So stunning are these white calcium cascades that they attract over 2 million visitors each year, making them Turkey’s most popular tourist destination. A breathtaking sight, did you know that you can see them underground as well?

Referred to as the “Underground Pamukkale”, Kaklik Cave is a lesser known destination that boasts the same travertine structures as its more famous neighbor, except they’re smaller and found inside a cave. Located around 45 km from Pamukkale, the cave was discovered after the collapse of its roof and has only been open to the public since 2002.

Kaklik Cave in the Denizli area is considered parallel to Pamukkale due to its travertine interior, a miracle of nature.

Caves where the first natural shelters of people. Their splendid cavities have always been very interesting and mesmerising to modern man. For hundreds of years people have striven to see and discover and go deeper into these “old houses” that their ancestors once lived in. One of the most magnificent is Kaklik Cave, located in Honas, 30km from Denizli. This natural beauty resembles its above ground kin, Pamukkale. The resemblance is very striking with its ornamented with stalagtites and stalagmites that strongly resemble the above ground travertens of Pamukkale. It is also known as “Little Pamukkale” or “Cave Pamukkale”. Another feature which also draws attention are the termal springs within the cave.

Since many visitors believe that the cave’s clear, colorless and sulfur laden waters cure some skin diseases its is visited by people from abroad as well as residences from the immediate area. The smell of sulfur might bother you at first but after a few seconds you get used to the smell. Because of the great interest in this healing water a swimming pool, small amphitheatre, areas for viewers and a cafe along with pergolas were built.

One more feature of the cave is the plant life founds on its walls. Normally it would not be possible to see a plant within a cave due to the lack of sunlight however here a bushy moss coat and small leaved ivy like plants grow on the walls moistened by drops of the leaking water and exposed to direct sunlight. These green plants change color accordingly to the angle of the sunlight which emphasizes their incredible beauty and adds to the ambience of the cave.

Kaklik Cave was formed by the collapse of the hollow cell created by centuries of erosion from a large subterranean stream. It has expanded as subterranean waters continue to erode its carbonated and sulfated rocks. Mount Mali, 1277 metres high, and made of marble, stands near the cave entrance. The cave itself is situated beneath a flat plain covered by cotton fields and vineyards.

Kaklik Cave: “Underground Pamukkale”

Into the belly of the beast. The circular entrance measures 11-13 meters in diameter.
You’ll notice the pronounced smell of sulphur when you enter the cave. It’s because the water that flows through here contains sulphur and a high amount of sodium bicarbonate. It’s for this reason why locals have named the place Kokarhamam Pinari, which means “Smelling Bath Foundation”.

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