A blast of dynamite. That’s how it all began. The story of Tulumtaş Mağarası. We stand before its entrance a marvel of nature unexpectedly revealed during the construction of Ankara’s Ring Road.
Tulumtaş Mağarası. This isn’t just any cave. It’s a hidden gem nestled within Karayatak Hill a solitary limestone outcrop. Its discovery was accidental a fortunate byproduct of road construction in 1992. Initially deemed a first-degree natural protected area its fate took a turn. Development pressures led to its downgrading. Now a suburb of 215 houses sits above it a testament to conflicting priorities.
The initial exploration by the Maden Tetkik Arama MTA a special cave group of the Ministry for Resources. They suggested developing it as a show cave. But before that could happen. The cave suffered. Unsupervised access led to vandalism. Speleothems were broken graffiti marred the walls. Even worse. Clueless visitors painted arrows. Arrows that led nowhere.
Tulumtaş Mağarası. A 549-meter-long karst cave. A treasure of stalagmites stalactites and columns. A living cave its formations are still growing. The cave’s interior resembles fairy chimneys an unforgettable sight.
The damage was extensive. Yet hope remained. A 2019 contract finally signaled a turning point. The Tulumtaş Mağarası Projesi aimed to transform this damaged wonder into a show cave perhaps even a museum. A 100000 lira budget was allocated. Restoration was extensive. The cave now boasts a cafe a souvenir shop an audiovisual room and even a mosque.
Today we see the result of this effort. Tulumtaş Mağarası is open. The entrance fee is 30 Turkish Liras for adults and 15 for students. A shuttle service even runs from the TOKI Clock Tower and the District Public Library for easy access. After years of neglect. This magnificent cave finally receives the respect it deserves. A testament to resilience and the enduring beauty of nature. A triumph of preservation. A story we can all be a part of. The story of Tulumtaş Mağarası.