A cave at Narlıkuyu in Silifke, about 600 m from the Cennet sinkhole, entered by a spiral iron stair and known for 200 m of linked galleries and the nickname Wishing Cave.
Asthma Cave is a place (Cave) in Turkey, Mersin.
A spiral iron staircase leads down into Asthma Cave, a hollow some 15 m deep at Narlıkuyu in Silifke. Local belief says the air inside eases the breathing of people with asthma, and a few legends have gathered around the place. It lies roughly 600 m from the Cennet and Cehennem sinkholes and is counted among the spots that show off the geography of the area best.
Overview
The cave goes back to the third geological period. The two sinkholes nearby have a different origin: an underground stream chemically wore the rock away until the roof over the emptied space gave way. Cennet now holds the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Natural features
Galleries opening into one another run for 200 m in total. Stalactites hang down from the ceiling and stalagmites grow up from the floor; the ones here are large, each shaped differently, and were built up from deposited silica.
Humidity rises to 85 percent in summer and as high as 95 percent in winter.
Visitors make wishes by tying strips of cloth to the branches of the trees and bushes outside, which is why local people also call it the Wishing Cave.
Visiting
The cave lies at Narlıkuyu. Hours and fees can change, so check the page for the site on muze.gov.tr. The MüzeKart is valid for Turkish citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Asthma Cave?
How do you get down into the cave?
How long is the cave?
Why is it called Asthma Cave?
Where does the name Wishing Cave come from?
Are there stalactites and stalagmites?
Sources (3)
- Silifke Astım Mağarası / Silifke Asthma Cave (TR ve EN sayfalar) — T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı, Müzeler ve Ören Yerleri
- Astım Mağarası (Wikidata Q119166674) — Wikidata
Photo credits
- Photo: Wayway21, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons (resized)
