The Cave of Zeus ( tr, Zeus Mağarası) is a

show cave A show cave—also called tourist cave, public cave, and, in the United States, commercial cave—is a cave which has been made accessible to the public for guided visits. Definition A show cave is a cave that has been made accessible to ...

located in Kuşadası,

Aydın Province Aydın Province ( tr, ) is a province of southwestern Turkey, located in the Aegean Region. The provincial capital is the city of Aydın which has a population of almost 200,000 (2012). Other towns in the province include the summer seaside re ...

, in the

Aegean Region The Aegean Region () is one of the 7 Geographical regions of Turkey, geographical regions of Turkey. The largest city in the region is İzmir. Other big cities are Manisa, Aydın, Denizli, Muğla, Afyonkarahisar and Kütahya. Located in w ...

of western Turkey. The cave is within

Dilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park Dilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park ( tr, Dilek Yarımadası-Büyük Menderes Deltası Millî Parkı), established on May 19, 1966, is a national park in western Turkey. It contains within its borders the entirety of the Dilek ...

, immediately west of the town of Güzelçamlı in Kuşadası district. It is situated about west of the national park's entrance at Dilek Peninsula. The cave is reached by a long slippery, stoney trail southwards. The cave's mouth is hidden from view, as it is covered with trees, plants and flowers. The cave can be accessed from the district's center of Kuşadası via dolmuş, which shuttle the route to and from Güzelçamlı regularly. The cave was formed as a result of a sinkhole eroding a kalk formation by a subterranean river. Its base has the shape of a pool. The blue-green colored carbonated mineral water of the cave is a brackish mixture of spring water from the mountain and salty seawater. The deep pool attracts the attention of local and foreign visitors year-round for bathing and swimming. The cave is deep and wide with a length of . According to Ancient Greek mythology, Zeus, the

Olympian Olympian or Olympians may refer to: Religion * Twelve Olympians, the principal gods and goddesses in ancient Greek religion * Olympian spirits, spirits mentioned in books of ceremonial magic Fiction * ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'', fiction ...

ruler of the skies, used to hide in the cave to escape the fury of his brother Poseidon, the ruler of the seas after Zeus angered him. Poseidon, in his wrath, would unleash very high waves and other dangerous water conditions with his trident. As a popular habit, visitors tie a cloth piece on a

wishing tree A wish tree is a tree, usually distinguished by species, location or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings. Such trees are identified as possessing a special religious or spiritual value. Postulants make votive offering ...

next to the cave's mouth in the hope that their wish comes true.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cave of Zeus, Aydin Show caves in Turkey Landforms of Aydın Province Tourist attractions in Aydın Province Kuşadası Zeus

See also

References