One of the natural sights of the neighbourhood of Antalya - is the incredible beauty of the Duden waterfalls. The group of waterfalls is formed by the Düden River - the main river in the south of Antalya and at the same time one of the countless rivers of the Taurus. Several cascades of waterfalls flow down the lime tuff ledges of Antalya. The rivulets, which originate in the Toros Mountains, flow down the slope surfaces or bubbling up inside the cliffs. After a rather long journey, they into the Mediterranean Sea. The number of waterfalls is more than two dozen. Numerous excursions numerous excursions are organised, and the unforgettable panorama of the waterfalls can be appreciated from the nearby recreation area.
Few people know that such beauty is not only a natural phenomenon, but also partly the work of man. Many irrigation canals have been dug since the time of Murat Pasha. Small streams of water from them flowed down the rocks directly into the sea. Antalya has long been called the city of waterfalls. Now these waterfalls are part of of the existing karst and hydrogeological system.
Kirkgözler and Pinarbaşı are the names of two large karst springs of the river Düden. They are located at the 28th and 30th kilometres of the old Antalya-Burdur road. These streams merge into one and disappear into the large karst sinkhole of Biyikli. Hidden from human eyes, the river runs underground for 14 kilometres and comes to the surface only in the Varsakskaya in to the surface only in the Varshak Depression. Then, after a short time on the surface, the stream hides underground again, and after 2 kilometres under the pressure it comes to the surface at Dudenbashi. At the inlet and outlet of Dudenbashi there is the Kepezhi hydropower station. the Kepege hydroelectric power complex. There is also an artificial cascade. This whole procedure is carried out by a specialised control system control system. It is built opposite the Bijikli sinkhole and directs the waters of the springs Kirgötzler and Pinarbasi through a long channel to the Kepez hydroelectric plant in the into a catchment. From here the water flows through a pressurised pipe to the turbines of the plant. From the the discharge section of the plant, the water rushes through a long canal back to Düdenbaşı, where it forms artificial cascades.
The largest waterfalls are called Upper and Lower Düden. The Upper Duden falls from a cliff in two streams into the deep bowl of the lake. The rocks on which are emerald-coloured, thanks to a beautiful carpet of moss. Just behind the waterfall is a cave where you can walk around and admire the water streams from inside. It's quite damp and dripping from the ceiling, but deep inside the cave is a huge hall with its own there's a huge hall with a sort of hole in the vault through which you can see you can see a bit of the sky. At the bottom of the cave is a strange formation, it looks like a red-hot meteorite flew in and froze in a fossilised burst, as it hit the floor. It's said that if you tie a string round one of the stone and make a wish, it's said to come true.
The waterfall is surrounded by a large number of convenient viewing platforms. Here, sitting on a bench, you can enjoy the view of the park's luxuriant plants, to which the river gives its life-giving moisture and coolness or the pleasant sound of the waterfall. In the air the light and pleasant aroma of coniferous trees. The bubbling water is interesting to watch to watch the bubbling water standing on a wooden suspension bridge. Walking in the shade of luxurious trees along the river you can admire wild ducks swimming in the crystal clear water. There are many cosy cafes in the park, where you can have a tasty and inexpensive meal, and if you have brought your own food, it is worth having a picnic on the grass right by the river. Residents of Antalya often come here on holidays and weekends and consider it an ideal holiday destination.
The cascade starts 12 kilometres northeast of Antalya and ends with the luxurious waterfall of Lower Duden falling from a high rocky cliff into the Mediterranean Sea. It is a marvellous sight and is located 8 kilometres from Antalya on the road to Lara Beach. You can see Lower Duden while still on the plane, while approaching Antalya airport. Radiantly smiling with rainbow shimmers, it is the first to welcome tourists with noisy streams of its crystal clear waters.
This waterfall is the world's largest waterfall falling into the sea. Its reaches a height of 50 metres. The river's fresh water flows into the embrace of the Mediterranean Sea (the water of the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most salty in the world - 39%), creating a great noise that travels for kilometres.
There is a beautiful recreation area near the waterfall, which is a National Park. For the convenience of tourists there are cafes, benches, shelters, viewing platform. Lower Duden looks best in the afternoon - the time, when the wind blows from the Old Town. At this time, the rays of the sun play with the water jets and create the illusion of a scattering of precious stones. Above the waterfall overhangs a semicircle of rainbows.
Very beautiful waterfall looks from the sea. To see this spectacle, it is better to come here by boat or yacht from the harbour side. To admire the The waterfall from the sea side is visited by many ships with tourists. The locals say it's an ideal place for family holidays and picnics, so they try to visit it from time to time.
Night walks to the waterfall are also suitable for romantics. At this time of day mystery to the bubbling stream added to the bright lights of the city and the vault of the starry sky hanging overhead. If you drive a few kilometres further, you can descend to the beach and swim in the night sea.
