Incegiz Caves, located in the village of İnceğiz in the Çatalca district of Istanbul and the first settlement is estimated to have started around 5500 BC, was discovered in 1950.. However, it is so neglected right now and people are causing so much damage that I think the discoverers regret what they did and they wish they had left it and kept it secret.
The Karasu Stream flowing in front of the Incegiz Caves and The greenery around it adds a special beauty to the region.. The area with greenery is arranged as a picnic area and entrance is paid.. This area is quite large and there are also picnic tables.. In addition, there are sufficient number of toilets, fountains, football and volleyball fields and everything necessary in the facility.. You can come to the İncegiz Picnic Area’ at the weekend and have a picnic with nature, as well as have the chance to see the historical İnceğiz Caves.. Of course, one cannot help but think, “I wish one-tenth of the money earned from the picnic area was used to protect the İnceğiz Caves.”. Kemal Sunal’s films Davaro and Salako, some of Tarkan’s films and many other films were shot here.. Although most sources on the internet say that these caves are referred to as Kemal Sunal Caves by the local people, this is not correct information, as a Çatalca native, I have never heard anyone say so.
When you look at İncegiz Caves from the outside, this is not correct information. looks like an old apartment. It has already been used for exactly this purpose.. In prehistoric times, settlements began in the natural cavities here, and over time, these cavities were expanded and turned into a 4-storey collective living space.. So much so that there are even churches and burial places inside.. Some of the carved stairs between floors have collapsed. It is possible to reach these floors from the path outside.. However, it is useful to be careful in rainy weather.
We are sure that the İnceğiz Caves were used extensively by Christians at one time.. Because there is a large cross relief in one of the rooms.. However, its first settlement probably dates back to before the Christians.
If you use the E5 on your way from Istanbul, you will turn in the direction of Çatalca after passing Büyükçekmece.. If you use the TEM highway, you take the Çatalca exit, but this road does not go directly to the center of Çatalca, but to the Ahmediye village, which is 10 km from Çatalca.. After arriving in Çatalca, continue by following the signs for Saray.. You will see the İnceğiz sign after you leave Çatalca.. A road you can reach in the center of Istanbul in about 1 hour. However, if the weather is nice and you left a little late, this time may be longer due to the density.. That’s why it’s better to leave early.
