Guide
The cave is in the Tarsus district of Mersin, in the village of Dedeler, on the skirts of Encülüs Dağı — known locally as Ziyaret Dağı. It is regarded as the most important centre in Anatolia of the belief in the Seven Sleepers, one of the oldest stories in the world. The cave is mentioned in the Qur'an, in the sura of the Cave, and is held sacred by Muslims and Christians alike.
The legend is told locally as follows. At a time when belief in the mythological gods was losing its hold, seven young Christians — Yemliha, Mekselina, Mislina, Mernuş, Sazenuş, Tebernuş and Kefeştetayuş — were brought before the Roman ruler Dakyanus because they were persecuted for believing in one God and would not return to idolatry. He gave them a few days to hold to the old religion, saying he would have them killed otherwise. Using the time given them, the seven fled with their dog Kıtmir and took refuge in a cave, and God gave them a sleep that lasted 309 years.
Yemliha, the first to wake, went into the town to buy food and was confused by the coin in his hand, which was no longer current. The people who asked this stranger what had happened understood the situation and went with him to the cave. Yemliha went in; when those outside came in after him they could see nothing but a nest in which seven young birds were perched. That is why the place is also called the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.
The cave itself covers about 300 square metres and is ten metres high. It is entered down a stair and holds three tunnels. Above it stands a mosque built in 1873 by Sultan Abdülaziz, to which a minaret with three balconies was added later.
