Roughly 30km southeast of Eğirdir, and about 1km north of Aksu by a Roman bridge, the entrance to the kilometre-long Zindan Cave marks the start of an underground journey featuring Byzantine ruins, striking stalactites and stalagmites, and the so-called ‘hamam’ room—a chamber believed to have once served as a ritual bath. The cave also makes a popular cycling day trip from Eğirdir, offering both adventure and historical discovery.

A Journey into the Past

Perched 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) above sea level, Zindan Cave stretches 765 metres into the limestone hills. At its entrance, visitors encounter significant archaeological features: a Roman bridge, the remains of the open-air Eurymedon Temple, and a mosaic thought to depict the river goddess. These elements reflect the cave’s long-standing role as a sacred and cultural site used by ancient pagan, Greek and Roman communities.

Inside the cave, a dramatic landscape unfolds, shaped by thousands of years of mineral deposits. Stalactites, stalagmites and towering columns create a sculptural environment, while a subterranean stream flows steadily over rocks, echoing throughout the cavern. This mineral-rich stream has been scientifically analysed and shown to contain high levels of calcium and magnesium, lending support to local beliefs in its skin-soothing properties.

Nature and Myth Intertwined

Among the cave’s most iconic features is the Eurymedon mosaic, crafted from black, white and red stones and located near the entrance just beyond the Roman bridge. Believed to represent a river goddess, the mosaic suggests the area’s spiritual and cultural importance in antiquity. Engraved stones and scattered columns contribute to the feeling of an open-air museum embedded in the landscape.

Further inside, the cave reveals a space interpreted by archaeologists as a former ritual bath, located near the mosaic and directly linked to the ancient spring. The enduring belief in the therapeutic qualities of the water is partially supported by its composition, rich in beneficial minerals.

A Modern Attraction with Ancient Roots

Today, Zindan Cave attracts around 50,000 visitors annually. Enhancements made during its transformation into a tourist site—such as illuminated walkways and safety features—make it accessible while preserving its natural and historical character. With a consistent internal temperature of 5°C (41°F) year-round, it offers a cool, atmospheric escape from the Mediterranean summer heat.

Zindan Cave stands as a unique blend of natural beauty, archaeological heritage and ecological significance. Whether explored for its geology, its connection to ancient civilisations, or simply for a moment of peace beneath the surface, it remains one of Turkey’s most fascinating underground treasures.

Source: Daily Sabah with AA

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Located in the Lake District of the northwestern Mediterranean region, the city is known as Türkiye’s rose garden and renowned for its lavender fields. Rose breeding and the rose industry is big business in Isparta. As a pleasant result, the sweet smell of roses growing in the fields can be enjoyed from every corner of the city. Almost every type of rose-based product, including rose oil, is produced and exported from Isparta. In fact, the region shoulders 60 percent of the world’s rose oil production. Apart from roses, the city is also famous for growing cloves, lavender, thyme, apples, peaches, and cherries.

Home to many civilisations and historic attractions

Isparta has also been home to many civilizations throughout history. Traces of the civilizations that the city once hosted can still be explored today. The city also offers historic attractions such as Eğirdir, Kovada and Gölcük lakes, Kovada and Kızıldağı national parks and many other pristine sites. Yalvaç, a centre for belief tourism, and Eğirdir, where mountaineering, trekking, windsurfing, paragliding and camping are popular, also offer alternative activities for visitors.

Isparta’s rose and lavender harvest

Isparta’s famous rose harvest, which takes place from May to June, is now accompanied by the lavender harvest. To see the fields, many tourists journey to the villages of Kuşçular, Kuyucak, Ardıçlı and Aydoğmuş from both Türkiye and around the world, with the largest numbers visiting in July. Located in Türkiye’s biggest lavender-producing district, Keçiborlu, Lavender Valley boasts large fields that mirror the Provence villages of France.

Those who visit the city during the rose harvest can explore the fields and gather beautiful blooms with the locals.

They can also visit the factories where the roses are processed.

A 35-million-year history

Symbols of affection, love and spirituality, roses have been used as potent symbols throughout history, attracting the adoration of mankind in every period and indispensable for kings, sultans and rulers. In Turkish history, especially in Divan literature, they symbolize spirituality, sanctity and love. In the miniature of Mehmed the Conqueror made by Muralist Sinan, the sketch of the sultan smelling a rose shows that it is the symbol of power on the one hand and elegance on the other.

With its 35-million-year history, this flower has been the subject of legends since ancient times because of its beautiful scent and nutritional value, while poems and hymns have also been written in its name. Historians believe rose oil and rose water were first produced in India and Iran and spread from there to Anatolia, Europe, North Africa and East Asia. Rose gardens were highly valued by Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. The first known use of pressed rose water was in 3500 B.C. and later distilled in 50 B.C.

Precious species: Rosa Damascena Mill

Around 1,350 rose species have been identified around the world. Although 24 species are native to Türkiye, only Rosa Damascena Mill is used to make rose oil. Despite the wide variety, the Trigintipetala hybrid grown in Bulgaria, Türkiye, Morocco, Egypt, Iran, Syria, India and the Caucasus is preferred for making rose oil. Rosa Damascena Mill is also known as Isparta Rose, Pink Oil Rose, Oil Rose, Gum Rose and Damask Rose. This pink flower has a strong scent. Rose oil is an indispensable product in both medicine and cosmetics.

Processed as rose water, rose wax and rose oil, roses have been mentioned in virtually every medical book ever written for treating headaches, fevers, fainting, stomach aches, blood clots and other illnesses. Naturally produced rose water is used as an organic aroma in food and desserts and as a beauty cleanser thanks to its nourishing and tightening effects on the skin. Rose-based extracts are used in shampoos as well as hand and body lotions. Likewise, many products, such as rose jam and Turkish delight, have graced tables since the Ottoman era.

Source: Daily Sabah

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