Cennet ve Cehennem

From Turkey Travel Guide

[edit] History

According to legend, there was a mythical monster Typhon, part human and part beast, with hundreds of dragon heads on his hands and covered in viper coils and wings. He attempted to destroy Zeus at the behest of his mother, beginning by destroying cities and mountains. While the other gods retreated, Zeus battled him as chronicled by Hesiod. Zeus was temporarily trapped in the cave now known as Cennet, or Heaven. Eventually, he emerged and trapped the monster in the cave called Cehennem, Hell, until he moved him under Mount Etna.

[edit] Visitor's Guide

The complex entrance is next to a Temple of Zeus converted into a Christian church. 500 meters left of here is another cave, thought to cure athsma. The surroundings are full of natural beauty as you begin the long descent to the caves.

At the Cennet Cave entrance, there is a Byzantine church where many visitors tie ribbons or scraps of cloth hoping for cures. The cave itself is 250 meters of impressive limestone, with enough natural light to allow visitors to explore.

Cehennem Cave is 75 meters down the gorge from the Cennet cave, but its wall are too steep to allow entrance.

[edit] Getting there

From Silifke, travel to Narlıkuyu on the Mersin-Silifke Highway. From there, the caves are two kilometers north.

[edit] Eat & Drink

Around the caves are a number of stands touting drinks, snacks, and souvenirs.

[edit] Books

[edit] External links