Incirli Cave

Within a hill near the tiny village of Cinarli sits the largest cave on the island.

Taking its name from a nearby fig tree, Incirli Cave is a naturally formed gypsum cave located about two kilometres to the northeast of Cinarli, containing a fascinating collection of stalagmites and stalactites.

To better understand more about the speleology of Incirli, the study or exploration of caves, here are some key words to get your head around.

Definitions

Gypsum: A soft sulphate mineral that is widely mined and is used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, blackboard chalk and drywall.

Stalactites: An icicle-shaped formation that hangs from the ceiling of a cave and is produced by precipitation of minerals from water dripping through the cave ceiling – most have pointed tips.

Stalagmite: An upward-growing mound of mineral deposits that have precipitated from water dripping onto the floor of a cave – most have rounded or flattened tips.

The Cave

Incirli cave encompasses a fascinating collection of stalagmites and stalactites. Hidden away off a signed beaten track, the entrance to this amazing cave is so small that you would hardly know it was there if it were not for the nearby symbolic fig (Turkish: incir) tree.

Two flights of steps take you from the small entrance down into the widest and longest part of the cave. The only known developed gypsum topography cave in North Cyprus and even Turkey, it is very well illuminated for its visitors.

Lined with very unique cauliflower shaped structures formed out of the white mineral, coarse stalactites hang from the ceiling whilst smooth stalagmites rise from out of the ground, as visitors prudently explore this natural wonder. Columns extending to the ceiling and sandstone rock formations add to the beauty.

The cave extends to a depth of 250 metres in an east western direction though only 70 metres is accessible to visitors. It is between five to ten metres wide at varying points, and the height of the cave varies between four to seven metres, which is said changes according to the phases of the moon.

Towards the end of the accessible area, the passageway narrows and sharply turns, providing a maze-like tour, with small corridors branching off into darkened nooks and rock formations swept upwards in exquisite curves.

Legendary Tales

A long time ago, there were three thieves who hid their stolen goats in this very cave. Villagers followed the footprints of the animals all the way to the fig tree where they mysteriously disappeared.

After days of patrolling the area and with the help of local police, they laid an ambush which lead to the discovery of the cave entrance near-by. As they watched the thieves enter the cave at midnight, they guarded the entrance until sunlight to make their move.

However, on entering the cave the next morning, they were shocked to find no trace of the thieves nor the animals. Rumour has it that the thieves escaped from a second entrance, close to the village of Altinova, some distance from Cinarli – this entrance is still waiting to be rediscovered to this day.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s this cave was also known to be used as a hideout for EOKA terrorists, the Greek Cypriot nationalist guerrilla organisation that fought a campaign for the end of British rule on the island and waged an ethnic cleansing of Turks living on the island.

How to get there

The village also referred to as ‘Platani’ and ‘Bladan’ is pleasantly situated in the foothills of the Besparmak Mountains, famous for its formidable organic honey and accessible from all directions.

From Kyrenia, a coastal route towards Tatlisu will lead you in the right direction. From Famagusta or Nicosia, the road bypassing Gecitkale towards the coast will take you directly there – the more scenic countryside stretch from Iskele via Sinirustu is yet another course to this remarkable site.

Don’t miss out

The fig tree nearby that this cave takes its name from, has fruits believed to have healing powers – any visitors in the peak of summer may find some to pick from the lower branches, of course if they beat the locals to it.  

Caves were amongst the earliest forms of shelter for mankind and one of the first places where humans began to pictorially depict their world around, in wall inscriptions and paintings.

The Incirli cave is a fine example of the mysterious and astonishing world that caves represent for the curious and intrepid explorer. Who knows how many more undiscovered caves lie in the mountainous terrain of NCY, just waiting to be found.