While it’s scorching hot outside at 40 degrees, they are warming up inside with a stove

In Gaziantep, where the temperature has reached 40 degrees in recent days, Kaleoglu Cave, known as a natural air conditioner with an average temperature of 15 degrees, is attracting local and foreign tourists. While the outside is scorching at 40 degrees, those inside the cave are trying to warm up with a stove.

While the scorching heat is effective in the Southeast, the citizens of Gaziantep, who are weary of the hot summer days, find relief in Kaleoglu Cave, which has a history of 500 years. Citizens who are tired of the 40-degree heat outside seek refuge in the historical cave where the temperature ranges from 10 to 15 degrees, a natural wonder. In fact, citizens shiver in the historical cave and try to warm up with blankets and a stove.

“The natural air conditioning in our cave has preserved its feature for 500 years”

The operator of the cave, Mehmet Kaleoglu, stated that while it is around 40 degrees outside, the inside of the cave is 10-15 degrees, saying, “The outside is around 40 degrees on average, whereas the inside of our cave is 15 degrees. The natural air conditioning in our cave has preserved its feature for 500 years. This cave, as I said, is a historical cave with a history of 500 years. Inside, there are 4 wells and 12 columns. It has been used as a weapon depot and shelter during times of war. It is a place that we can call a wonder of the world. When local and foreign tourists visiting Gaziantep feel hot, they prefer this place. When they are happy, we are happy too,” he said.

“Citizens want us to light the stove”

Kaleoglu stated that citizens who feel cold inside the cave ask for the stove to be lit, “Citizens cool off in the cave by escaping from the heat outside. When the temperature drops to 10 degrees, citizens ask for a shawl. They want us to light the stove. We light the stove to provide them with these opportunities,” he said.

“Thank goodness they lit the stoves”

Sehriban Yilmaz, who went to the historical cave cafe to cool off, said that they cooled off thanks to the unique natural air conditioning of the cave, and even felt cold, saying, “Thank goodness they lit the stove.” She recommended this place to cool off as her friends did not come. I knew it had a history of 500 years, but I didn’t know it would be cool. When we came here, it was hot at first. Then we started to feel cold. Thank goodness they lit the stoves,” she said.

“I was very surprised to see the stoves lit”

Another citizen, who said he was surprised to see the stoves lit while warming up with a shawl in the cave, commented, “The weather outside was about 40 degrees. We came to the cave because we couldn’t stand that heat. The cold air inside cooled us down. Then I saw that the electric stoves were lit inside. This situation surprised us a lot,” he said.