Alicin Geosite in Ankara set to open for tourism

The Alicin Geosite, located in a canyon in the Kizilcahamam district of Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, has been compared to the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon

The Alicin Geosite in the Kizilcahamam district of Ankara has a long-standing history, yet it remains shrouded in mystery due to limited information available about it. Its resemblance to the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon adds to its intrigue. 

Alicin Geosite, one of Anatolia’s undiscovered historical treasures, is also in danger of extinction. There is no clear information about the history of this monastery-like geosite built on a steep slope in the canyon. However, the monastery, which can be reached by climbing, attracts the attention of everyone passing through the canyon.

According to experts, this monastery served as a place of worship. This theory gains weight due to the common practice of building monasteries in secluded valleys and near waterways. 

According to another view, this place was a line of defense because of the lack of religious iconography inside the structure and the absence of internal divisions for living quarters. The presence of historical castles and fortifications in the vicinity also supports this view.

Source: Newsroom