Two vast sinkholes on the Mediterranean coast — one you can descend into past an ancient chapel, one so sheer and dark the ancients called it the mouth of the underworld. Meet the Caves of Heaven and Hell.
Some places earn their names. Near the town of Silifke, on Turkey’s sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, the earth simply falls away into two colossal pits — and for thousands of years, people have believed these were doorways between worlds. The ancients called them Cennet ve Cehennem: Heaven and Hell. One you can walk down into. The other, they warned, you should not enter at all.
Descending into Heaven
The Cave of Heaven (Cennet) is a huge collapsed sinkhole, some 70 metres deep, its floor carpeted in green and reached by a long stone stairway of around 450 steps. At the bottom, half-swallowed by the rock, stands the Chapel of the Virgin Mary — a Byzantine church built around the 5th century, its faded frescoes still watching over pilgrims who descend. Deeper still, a passage leads to an underground stream the Greeks called the River of Hell (Styx), its roar echoing from the darkness. It is heaven and the underworld in a single breathtaking chasm.
The Pit They Called Hell
A short walk away yawns the Cave of Hell (Cehennem) — a sheer-sided pit around 120 metres deep that cannot be climbed into, only peered down into from the rim. Ancient people believed no living soul should descend it, for this, they said, was where the monster Typhon — the most fearsome creature of Greek myth, who once battled Zeus himself — was chained beneath the earth. Stand at the edge, feel the cold air rising from the depths, and you understand at once why the legend took hold.
Myth, Faith and the Wishing Cave
Nearby lies a third wonder, the Cave of Wishes (Dilek Mağarası), prized for its humid air and, so locals say, its healing qualities for asthma. Together these caves form one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Turkey — a place where Greek myth, Christian devotion and natural spectacle collide. The Chapel of the Virgin Mary makes it a moving stop for pilgrims, while the sheer drama of the sinkholes captivates every traveller.
Visit the Caves of Heaven and Hell
The caves lie near Silifke and Narlıkuyu, an easy trip along the coast from Mersin and Tarsus — perfect to combine with Tarsus and its sacred sites and the Seven Sleepers’ cave for a full day of legends. Explore our faith and heritage tours, browse our tours of Turkey, or build your own coastal journey through the myths of Cilicia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Caves of Heaven and Hell?
They are two enormous natural sinkholes near Silifke on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, known in Turkish as Cennet ve Cehennem. The Cave of Heaven can be entered by a stairway and holds an ancient Chapel of the Virgin Mary; the Cave of Hell is a sheer pit that cannot be entered and is tied to the myth of the monster Typhon.
Is there really a church inside the Cave of Heaven?
Yes. At the bottom of the Cave of Heaven stands the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, a Byzantine church from around the 5th century with surviving traces of frescoes, making the descent both a natural and a sacred experience.
Where are the Caves of Heaven and Hell located?
They are near the village of Narlıkuyu, between Silifke and Erdemli in Mersin Province, on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey — an easy day trip from Mersin, Tarsus or Adana.
Can I combine the caves with other sites?
Absolutely. The Caves of Heaven and Hell pair perfectly with Tarsus (birthplace of St Paul) and the Seven Sleepers’ cave for a day of legends and faith along the Cilician coast. We can arrange it as part of a custom tour.
Plan Your Türkiye Trip With Local Experts
Licensed TÜRSAB agency — tours, transfers, visas and tailor-made itineraries across Türkiye.
