Ashab-ı Kehf Mağarası

Eshab-ı Kehf Mağarası - Yedi Uyuyanlar Mağarası - Seven Sleepers' Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Dedeler, 33400 Tarsus/Mersin. 14 km from Tarsus, 40 km from Mersin. (36.9578770, 34.7969284)
Open:	All year Mon 13-18, Tue 11-16, Wed 14-16, Fri 10-17, Sat 11-18, Sun 8-19. [2020]
Fee:	free. [2020]
Classification:	Cave Tomb Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Ashab-ı Kehf Mağarası, Dedeler, 33400 Tarsus/Mersin
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1873	mosque next to the cave built.
2015	on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Description

Ashab-ı Kehf Mağarası (Seven Sleepers' Cave) is named after the Persian اصحاب کهف (Ashāb-i Kahf, people of the cave) which is the Islamic term for the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. Islamic scholars agree that the cave is located in Tarsus, at least that's what the locals tell you. The small cave is located at the foot of a hill, and it is actually a natural cave which was heavily modified by man. To enter the cave, it is necessary to descend a staircase with 20 steps. The cave has several openings in the ceiling, but it is also equipped with electric light.

Most people simply walk down the staircase to the main chamber of the small cave. But there is a side passage with quite rough floor, if you are surefooted enough you may take a little detour. The cave is frequented by an enormous number of visitors, a result is that the limestone in the cave is polished by the touch of many hands and feet. It looks almost like marble.

The remains of a Byzantine era church were found carved into the rock. The cave was once lined with bricks which created the impression of a building. In the side walls of the church are niches with arched vaults, and in the northern wall is an apse. Inscriptions about the Seven Sleepers were found on the walls.

Close to the cave, a mosque was erected for the pilgrims. It was commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Abdülaziz, who reigned 1861 to 1876. It was erected in 1873, the tall minaret with three şerefes (balconies) was added later.