Nimara Mağarası

Useful Information

Location:	Cennet Adası, Marmaris, Muğla (36.813045, 28.296852)
Open:
Fee:
Classification:
Light:
Dimension:	A=350 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:
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History

1998	two female sandstone statues found.
1999	declared a first degree archaeological site.
2007	excavations by the Muğla University financed by the Marmaris Municipality.
2008	landscaping completed and cave opened to visitors.

Description

Nimara Mağarası (Nimara Cave) is located on Cennet Adası (Paradise Island), which is actually a peninsula in the bay of Marmaris. The archaeological importance of the cave was discovered in 1998, when two female sandstone statues were found in the cave. Unfortunately the cave was quite popular and the high numbers of visitors caused damages. In order to prevent further damages the Marmaris Municipality organized an archaeological excavations in 2007. The result were human remains from the last 12,000 years. Exceptional was an enormous amount of colored glass beads, which suggests that this place was used as a bead workshop until the Bronze Age. During Roman time the cave was the place of an votice temple. There were two votive areas and 50 human terracotta figures and plenty of coins.

In 2008, after the excavations were completed the municipality placed signs on the trail to the cave. After there was no more harm in people visiting the cave they actively promoted it. There are now trails in the cave and the cave is open to visitors.