Old Turkish cave to become new tourist attraction

[Wayne Harrison]

Old Marmaris cave to become new tourist attraction
Saturday, August 11, 2007

A protected cave that hosts butterflies and its surroundings are expected to become a new tourist spot for nature lovers after studies on the archaeology, flora and fauna are completed by the end of the year

İZMİR - Turkish Daily News


Thanks to a recent excavation project carried out by the Marmaris Municipality, the Cennet Adası (Nimara) Cave is to become a new tourist spot. The researchers, who began digging in the area last week, stated that the cave had a history of about 100,000 years and was used as a place of worship in ancient times. The cave also shelters butterflies similar to those in Fethiye's Butterfly Valley, according to officials.

Local authorities stated that along with the excavations, they will implement environmental planning projects, including landscape research along the two-kilometer road leading to the cave. As result of the project, guests from Turkey and around the world will be informed about the flora and fauna of the region when they visit the new tourist site.

“The cave is also important as it shelters a species of butterfly similar to the ones living in Fethiye Butterfly Valley. We plan on turning the cave into a spot for tourism by the end of 2007 at the latest,” said Marmaris Museum Director Neşe Kırdemir.

A team of 25 will continue excavation in the area and will be composed of archaeologists, geology and electrical engineers, as well as architects who will work together to unearth the secrets of the cave.

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