Karaca Cave is surrounded by the bordes of Cebeli Village which is in the Torul Town. It is 17 km far away from the city center and 1550 m high from the sea level. The cave is the foremost touristic place in Gumushane. The cave can be arrived by following the 4 km road which is seperated from the 12th km of Gumushane – Trabzon highway. This 4 km road is paved with asphalt and has double band. So and eating facilities where the visitors can meet all their needs are available near the cave.
Stratigraphig – Lithological Characteristics
In the area extending between Gumushane and Toruls, super-cruastecan formatians have been extensively scattered out. These generally consist of andezitic and basatic lavas, lufs and agglomerates. Total thickness of this line reaches 1000 meters. Partly intermissionary additves varying between 100m and 200m in thickness and consisting of limestone, marn and gres draw attention. Karaca Cave developed in aboundantly cracked massive limestone encircled by volcanits in this serial.
Constitution Of The Cave
The cave of Karaca is rich in formation dripstones. These dripstones are in different shape and colour. Inside the cave, there are dripstones stalactites, stalagmites, travertines and cave roses, at the edge of travertines, even on the stalagmites. The pool of dripstones are very large in the cave. Especially the ones through the end of cave have up to 1 meter depth. Looking at the harmony of these formations one can be fascinated. The existance of travertines from white to dark blue proves high density of iron and magnesium minerals in the water.
The Shape Of Cave
The cave lies on a horizantal way, having four different halls connecting each other.The two of these halls are also divided into two by the wall dripstones, as a result the number of halls can be regarded as six. The height of the cave entrance is as tall as a man, but through the inside the height increases regulary and the shape of cave becomes like a funnel. The distance between the entrance and the end is 105 meters length. The average height is 18 meters. The total area is 1500 square meters.
Existance Of Water In The Cave
There is no stream in the cave of Karaca, but water leaking through the roof of cave still provides formation of dripstones. Apart from this, inside the cave there are travertine pools and a few ponds. The ponds which are at the entrance of third and fourth halls have lots of water content.
The Atmosphere In The Cave
There is no significant air circulation. Therefore the humidity rate in its atmosphere changes relativety from the entrance to inner parts of the cave by increasing. The increase rate is 65% at the entrance, 70%in the salon 1a and it rises up to 75% in the saloon 1b. The air inside the cave is cooler then outside the cave in summer and warmer in winter. Because of these, it is considered as a micro air conditioned area.
Conclusion
The cave possesses the most beautiful, magnificant and fascinating examples of dripstones. It is such a beautiful and a valuable place that deserves to enter The World Estate List of UNESCO. So it is foremost and the principle touristic place in Gumushane. In the aspects of the health tourism, it is very effective in treatment of respiratory diseases. The Karaca Cave was open to the visitors in 1996. It was visited by the 500 000 people since 1996. Having seen the Karaca Cave is a really fascinating, mystical adventure.