Ballica Cave Nature Park

Ballica Cave Nature Park

Located in the Pazar District, 23 km southwest of Tokat City Center, is the Ballıca Cave Nature Park. The park sits at an elevation of 1916 meters and is situated near the Akdağ mountain. The composition of the park consists mostly of Paleozoic rocks that were formed during the Miocene period, including marble, crystallized limestone, and aged limestone that are sprinkled in the metamorphic rocks of the Tokat Massive.

Ballica Cave Nature Park

The distribution areas of limestones at Akdağ have developed karstic structures, which make up the main area of the Ballıca Nature Park. The Ballıca Cave and nearby travertine formations are among these metamorphic rocks. Interestingly, the Ballıca Cave is unique in that it exists among the compound of two types of stones. It is made up of crystalline rocks, also known as karstic limestone, which cover metamorphic schists. The cave was not built within a karst belt, but inside these single local blocks with limited rock surfaces covered with limestone. Despite this small area, the cave covers an enormous volume, with a length of 680 meters and over 6500 m2 in surface area.

The Ballıca Cave boasts large, uniquely shaped stalactites in a variety of colors. Along with the stalactites of different shapes, there are cave pearls, dazzling onion-shaped stalactites, well-developed curtain travertines, and settling ponds that make up the rare natural beauty of Ballıca Cave. This system is not often encountered in the world, and the Ballıca Cave stands out among all cave formations worldwide.

The Ballica Cave Nature Park was added to the Tentative List of UNESCO in 2019.