Kaklık Cave

Kaklik Cave - or Pamukkale under ground

Pamukkale has a world-wide reputation. Kaklik Cave on the other hand is less known. Although a native of the region it is only recently that I have come to know Kaklik Cave. It has been discovered in recent years. Kaklik Cave is 36 km from Denizli, a city in southwest Turkey. If you are travelling eastward from Denizli take a detour of 4 km when you reach Kaklik intersection on the highway. Just follow the road signs to the cave.

Chemical sedimentation processes similar to those found in Pamukkale are also at work here in Kaklik Cave. There is a slight difference to the composition of the water though. Upon entering the cave you smell a strong scent of sulphur or rotten egg. I am not a chemist or geologist, so I can only make an educated guess. Here there is a greenish formation on the rocks that may be due to bacterial growth or merely a chemical process. The pools and travertines are stunningly similar to those in Pamukkale although at a smaller scale. Unfortunately Wikipedia has no entry on the subject at the time of this writing.