Karain Cave Skip-the-Ticket-Line Ticket
Karain Cave Skip-the-Ticket-Line Ticket
Free Cancellation
24 hours before the activity starting time
Skip the Ticket Lines
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Step back in time at Karain Cave, an archaeological gem revealing 500,000 years of human history. Explore the origins of our ancestors and marvel at the stunning stalactites and stalagmites in one of Turkey's largest natural caves.
About this activity
Duration
Flexible
Highlights
- Historical Significance: Evidence of human activity from the Lower Paleolithic to the Roman Period.
- Ancient Artifacts: Stone and bone tools, beads, and early Anatolian art.
- Fossil Finds: Remains of ancient animals like rhinoceroses, elephants, and hippopotamuses.
- Natural Beauty: Breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites formed over hundreds of thousands of years.
- UNESCO World Heritage: Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
Description
Includes
- Karain Cave Entrance Ticket
How It Works
- Opening Hours: 08:00 - 19:00 daily
- Location: Yagca Mah, Merkez, Antalya
- Next-Day Purchase: If your purchase is for tomorrow, your ticket will be sent to you by early morning.
- Future Date Purchase: If your purchase is for a future date, since tickets have expiration dates, you will receive them the day before your service date.
- Your tickets are valid throughout the opening hours.
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Can be booked for up to per booking
Cancellation policy:
- Non-refundable
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2024 MegaPass by
Karain Cave stands as a monumental testament to the ancient history of humanity, both for Anatolia and the world. Located in the picturesque Taurus Mountains near Antalya, this vast natural cave offers a unique glimpse into the life of our earliest ancestors. The cave has been continuously inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic Period, about 500,000 years ago, through to the Roman Period, providing an unbroken record of human evolution and culture.
Archaeological excavations in Karain Cave have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts, including some of the earliest examples of Anatolian art. Stone and bone tools, beads, and other relics paint a vivid picture of the hunter-gatherer societies that once thrived here. These findings are displayed in the Karain Museum, situated adjacent to the cave, and the Antalya Museum, offering visitors a comprehensive understanding of prehistoric life.
The cave is not only significant for its human history but also for its natural history. Fossils of animals like rhinoceroses, elephants, and hippopotamuses—species that no longer inhabit Anatolia—have been discovered here, highlighting the region's diverse and ancient ecosystem. Additionally, the cave is adorned with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, formations that have developed over hundreds of thousands of years, adding to the cave's allure.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Karain Cave is its evidence of continuous human occupation, leading to a cultural layer 11 meters deep. This uninterrupted habitation offers a rare and invaluable chronicle of the Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic periods. During the Roman Period, votive inscriptions on the cave's outer walls indicate it was used for worship, dedicated to a mountain goddess, further enriching its historical narrative.
Recognized for its profound historical and cultural value, Karain Cave has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. A visit to Karain Cave provides a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of early humans, offering a tangible connection to our distant past. Exploring this ancient site, visitors can experience the awe of discovering the origins of humanity while marveling at the natural beauty that has been preserved for millennia.