Domestic and foreign tourists, overwhelmed by Gaziantep’s hot weather conditions, prefer Kaleoğlu Cave to cool off in this city where the temperature rises above 45-50 degrees. Despite the extreme temperature outside, this historical cave attracts great attention thanks to the low temperature inside. Those who run the cave use electric stoves to prevent customers from being affected by the cold.
In Gaziantep, where thermometers show 45-50 degrees, Kaleoğlu Cave has existed as a historical place for more than 500 years. The interior temperature of the cave is quite different from the temperatures outside, it can drop to about -15 degrees. This difference allows tourists to get away from the hot weather conditions and spend time in a cool environment.
The natural coolness and historical atmosphere of the cave cause many people from Gaziantep and the surrounding provinces to visit it. It also attracts visitors from more distant cities such as Antalya, Istanbul, Hatay and Kahramanmaraş, making it a popular tourist attraction. Thus, Kaleoğlu Cave becomes a destination preferred not only by local people, but also by tourists from all over the country and even from abroad to spend a pleasant time.
Natural Climate Feature of the Cave
Müslüm Özkaplı is a musician in the 500-year-old Kaleoğlu Cave and tells the beauties of this place. He states that the cave is a naturally air-conditioned structure and states that it has 4 natural wells. Thanks to this natural feature, it emphasizes that the cave has a unique coolness. He states that Kaleoğlu Cave, which is a wonder of the world, is loved by all visitors.
He states that people who come here spend time drinking tea and coffee, and have pleasant moments accompanied by live music. He states that it is difficult to work outside in hot weather, but thanks to the natural air conditioning of the cave, they do their work more comfortably here. For this reason, he states that people show interest in Kaleoğlu Cave to cool off and have fun while escaping from the heat.
The cave offers a unique experience to people with its natural beauties and the historical texture it contains. Müslüm Özkaplı and other operators are proud to host visitors and contribute to unforgettable moments here.
Yeni Han (Kaleoğlu Cave) History
Yeni Han is a historical building that does not have an inscription on it and the exact date of its construction is unknown. However, there is a record in the Ayıntab Foundation Book that it was named “Han-ı Cedid” (new inn) in 1557. Therefore, it is likely that the inn was built before 1557. It is known that as the first owners of the inn, Battal Bey’s daughter Asiye and Hacı Osman Bey’s daughter Emine Hatun are mentioned in the records.
The building belongs to the group of inns with a single courtyard and two floors within the Ottoman inn architecture. It is surrounded by an iwan and rooms on the ground floor in the courtyard of the inn on three sides and a portico on one side. The upper floor is surrounded by rooms on one side and a portico on three sides. The rooms on the ground floor were used as warehouses and stables, while the rooms on the upper floor were built for the accommodation of passengers.
The most striking ornament in the building is the ornament created with black and white cut stones on the entrance door on the west façade. In addition, there are two stone benches on either side of the entrance opening. Other parts of the inn were built quite simply. Black and yellowish limestone cut stones were used in the construction of the inn. The cover system, on the other hand, has a flat cover with stone-constructed pointed barrel vaults, cross vaults and mirrored vaults. Historical Yeni Han, with its architectural structure and historical feature, continues its existence today as one of the important cultural heritages of Gaziantep.
