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The Ansir Caves in Türkiye’s eastern Malatya province, once admired for their ancient rock formations and traces of Roman and Hittite civilizations, have become a source of fear for local residents after the devastating earthquakes of Feb. 6, 2023.
Located in the Buzluk district of Yazihan, the caves are believed to date back to the seventh century B.C. and were once considered an important historical site. However, massive rockfalls triggered by the quakes have drastically altered the landscape, closing access roads and posing ongoing dangers to the surrounding area.
Experts and residents say large rock fragments continue to break off periodically from the cave walls, raising safety concerns. The tremors that shook southern and eastern Türkiye in 2023 caused major geological disruptions, and locals fear that similar events could recur.
Nihat Kizilkaya, a resident of the area, said the experience was terrifying: “During the quake, it felt like the end of the world. Giant rocks blocked the roads, and even now, smaller pieces still fall from time to time. We’re afraid to go near the caves,” he said.
Before the earthquakes, regional authorities had plans to develop the Ansir Caves as a tourism site, showcasing their historical depth and natural formations. Today, those plans are on hold as the area has effectively turned into what locals call a “fear cave.”
Residents say that, more than losing their homes, they fear the possibility of another collapse in or around the caves. “We were hoping this place would bring visitors and life to our village,” another local, Ahmet Faruk Kizilkaya, explained. “Now, no one dares to go there.”
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