Alanya's pirate past could not but leave its traces in the numerous caves and grottoes that are scattered along the coast. They can only be reached from the sea. According to local natives, once upon a time in one of them - Kyzlar Magarasi - pirates used to hide women kidnapped during raids.
Karain Magarasi Cave is one of the most interesting archaeological and historical monuments and at the same time the largest natural cave in Turkey. It is located in the Mediterranean region of the country, near the village of Yagca (Yenikoy district), twenty-seven kilometres northwest of Antalya, on the eastern slope of the rocky Chan Mountain. The cave itself is located approximately three hundred and seventy metres above sea level and eighty metres up the slope, where the lime tuff plain area borders the Western Taurus. The cave is about one hundred and fifty metres high.
In addition to its natural value, the Magarasi Karain is also of great historical value. Thanks to its convenience and very good location, it has been inhabited by people since the Palaeolithic period (about twenty-five thousand years ago), who left a very large number of material reminders of their stay.
Damlatash Magarasi Cave is located at the western foot of the peninsula, in the centre of Alanya. The name Damlatash translates from Turkish as "stone in drops" (damla - drop, tash - stone).
The cave is located in the western foothills of the peninsula.
The cave was discovered during the construction of the harbour, which was carried out in 1948. A quarry was located on this site. After the explosion, which was carried out in order to obtain stone for the construction of the ferry pier, the entrance to the cave was opened. Inside the cave, stalagmites and stalactites of amazing beauty were discovered, and they are about fifteen thousand years old. The cave was taken under protection and research work began.
Damlatash is one of the few Turkish caves that are specially equipped for tourists. It is useful for people with asthma. The healing factors here are very high humidity, stable temperature, slight ionisation and radioactivity of the air, as well as increased carbon dioxide content.
Dim Magarasy Cave is an ancient natural formation, filled with stalagmites and stalactites of the most bizarre shapes and colours. In the very centre of the cave there is a small salt lake. This place has long been known to the locals who hunted and sheltered in the cave. In 1986, the cave was opened to the public and has been a local attraction since 1998.
