| Cave of Zeus | |
|---|---|
| Zeus Mağarası | |
 A view of the cave near the entrance | |
  Location of the cave in Turkey | |
| Location | Dilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park,Güzelçamlı, Kuşadası,Aydın, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 37°42′41″N27°12′57″E / 37.71139°N 27.21583°E /37.71139; 27.21583 |
| Depth | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Length | 20 m (66 ft) |
TheCave of Zeus (Turkish:Zeus Mağarası) is ashow cave located inKuşadası,Aydın Province, in theAegean Region of western Turkey.
The cave is withinDilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park, immediately west of the town ofGüzelçamlı inKuşadası district. It is situated about 200 m (660 ft) west of the national park's entrance atDilek Peninsula.[1] The cave is reached by a 20 m (66 ft) long slippery, stoney trail southwards.[2][3][4] The cave's mouth is hidden from view, as it is covered with trees, plants and flowers.[5] The cave can be accessed from the district's center of Kuşadası via dolmuş, which shuttle the route to and from Güzelçamlı regularly.[6]
The cave was formed as a result of asinkhole eroding a kalk formation by asubterranean river. Its base has the shape of a pool. The blue-green colored carbonatedmineral water of the cave is a brackish mixture ofspring water from the mountain and salty seawater. The deep pool attracts the attention of local and foreign visitors year-round for bathing and swimming.[1][4][5][6] The cave is 10–15 m (33–49 ft) deep and 10–13 m (33–43 ft) wide with a length of 20 m (66 ft).[2]
According toAncient Greek mythology,Zeus, theOlympian ruler of the skies, used to hide in the cave to escape the fury of his brotherPoseidon, the ruler of the seas after Zeus angered him. Poseidon, in his wrath, would unleash very high waves and other dangerous water conditions with histrident.[1][2][4] As a popular habit, visitors tie a cloth piece on awishing tree next to the cave's mouth in the hope that their wish comes true.[5][6]
