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Gümüşhane
Karadeniz
Priority Stop
NatureKaraca Cave (Karaca Mağarası) lies within the boundaries of Cebeli village in the Torul district of Gümüşhane, at roughly 1,550 metres above sea level, and is regarded as one of Turkey's most spectacular illuminated dripstone caves. Formed within thick limestone layers sandwiched between volcanic rock, the cave is estimated to be around 15 million years old. Although long known to local villagers, it was brought to light through scientific research carried out between 1983 and 1990 by Şükrü Eröz, a geological engineer from Cebeli village. After the Ministry of Culture and Tourism registered the site, the cave was opened to visitors in 1996.
Formations & Interior
Stretching about 105 metres from the entrance to its farthest chamber, the cave reaches ceiling heights of up to 18 metres and covers an interior area of roughly 1,500 square metres, arranged in a series of connected ellipse-shaped halls. Inside, visitors encounter a remarkable concentration of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, travertine pools, curtain and organ-pipe formations, cave roses, cave pearls and elephant-ear shapes; the travertines range in colour from white to deep blue. A constant temperature of 12-17°C, high humidity (around 65% at the entrance rising to 75% deeper inside) and dust- and pollen-free, oxygen-rich air are believed to relieve non-chronic asthma, giving the cave a health-tourism dimension as well.
Tourist Value & Visiting
For tour operators, Karaca Cave is a fixed land stop on Black Sea coach itineraries departing from Trabzon. Agencies favour it because it sits just 4 kilometres north of the Gümüşhane-Trabzon highway on a double-lane asphalt road that coaches can navigate easily, and because the visit is short. A walk along the lit platform takes about 30-45 minutes, and the site offers parking, a cafeteria and rest areas. The best photo spots are the large halls where colour-lit columns and curtain formations dominate.
Best Season & Route
The ideal season runs from April to November; winter snow and high altitude can hamper access. Summer and public holidays are the busiest. A recommended route pairs the cave with the Zigana Pass and the Torul Castle glass terrace for a half-day land leg, finishing with geographically-indicated pestil and köme shopping in the town bazaar. Nearby Limni Lake Nature Park and the Örümcek Forests extend the itinerary for nature lovers.
Visit & Logistics
Visit & Logistics- Getting there17 km from central Gümüşhane; reached via a 4 km asphalt connecting road branching north off the Gümüşhane-Trabzon highway (D885). Easily reached by private car or tour coach; public transport is limited.
- ParkingAn adequately organised car park for tour coaches and private vehicles is available at the cave entrance.
- Coach accessThe double-lane asphalt connecting road is well suited for tour coaches; it is a standard coach stop on Eastern Black Sea tours.
- AccessibilityLimited. Since the interior tour follows a lit, stepped/sloped platform, it is difficult for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility; the entrance surroundings and car park are on flat ground.
- Photo spotsThe large halls with color-lit major columns and organ-pipe curtain formations; the white-to-deep-blue travertine pools and cave roses; the lit platform angles looking from the entrance mouth toward the inner halls.
- Suggested routeA half-day break on the land leg of the Eastern Black Sea tour out of Trabzon, in the sequence Zigana Pass to Torul Castle glass terrace to Karaca Cave, followed by pestil and köme shopping in central Gümüşhane.
Tours that include this place