Within the scope of the works initiated to introduce historical tunnels located underground and above ground in Ürgüp to tourism, a protocol was signed with the Obruk Cave Group.
The signed protocol aims to document the underground structures located within the borders of Ürgüp district with visual material and geographic information system tools, to map them using appropriate technical equipment and to create an inventory.
Ürgüp Mayor Ali Ertuğrul Bul stated that they aimed to introduce underground structures in Ürgüp to tourism within the scope of the project initiated in partnership with Ürgüp Municipality and OBRUK Cave Research Group, and said, “We will bring to light the values ​​of Ürgüp that are about to be lost underground.” regarding the underground structures whose explorations have been made, measured and mapped will be completed in the detailed report to be prepared by the research team.
Ürgüp Mayor Ali Ertuğrul Bul made statements regarding the protocol signed at the ceremony held with the participation of Ürgüp Municipality Council members and Obruk Cave Research Group representatives and said, “With the protocol we signed today, the aim is to document the underground structures within the borders of Ürgüp district, which are being damaged more and more each passing day due to various reasons and some of which are at risk of being completely destroyed, with visual material and geographic information system tools, to map them using appropriate technical equipment, to examine the geological unit hosting the structure in terms of relevant earth science disciplines, to compile the existing information about the functions it has undertaken in the historical process, and to prepare an inventory by bringing the collected data into a suitable format in the light of all these studies. In order for this process, the first step of which we have taken today, to be realized, the process of obtaining the necessary permits from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Cappadocia Area Presidency will be initiated. After the permits are obtained, our research and inventory studies will begin in the field. We aim to reveal the underground beauties of Ürgüp as well as its aboveground beauties and to contribute to tourism by preserving the historical and cultural values ​​of the region. I would like to thank Ali Yamaç, the Obruk Cave Research Group official who was with us today for the signing ceremony, and Eric Gilli, the Obruk Cave Research Group member,” he said.
Ali Yamaç, the Obruk Cave Research Group Official who was present at the signing ceremony, said, “It is known that underground settlements, which are common in Ürgüp and some examples have centuries of history, have fallen victim to rapid construction in some places. It is necessary to prevent any damage to the underground structures, whose properties belong to the state with Law No. 2863 and which are protected by the same law, by any construction or foundation excavation on the surface. The first and most important step of this is to inventory and record all these underground structures. The findings obtained will be presented to the Ürgüp Municipality in the form of reports and this information will be shared with the public by the Municipality. I hope that the protocol will be beneficial to Ürgüp.”