TurkmenistanCarved into clayey sandstone 100 meters above the river, it consists of a two-level labyrinth of cave dwellings connected by a long gallery-corridor with a semi-cylindrical vault. The caves extend 37 meters deep.
There is only one entrance to the underground city. Hence the name of the landmark—Yekedeshik (meaning "one opening" in Turkmen). Having only one entrance likely made the caves invisible and virtually impenetrable.
These caves are poorly studied, and their origins are unknown, but scientists speculate that Ekedeshik appeared around the first century BC. This cave is mentioned in many Turkmen tales and legends. Some claim that camel caravans could enter and exit the cave in two rows. According to one legend, the cave was dug by the warriors of Alexander the Great, who came to the territory of today's Turkmenistan in 334 BC; another claims it is the natural creation of powerful genies. Most archaeologists assume that Ekedeshik was an underground monastery for Christian or Buddhist monks who lived in Central Asia in ancient times.
In total, the cave city contains 44 separate rooms. Thirty-five of them are accessible, but several have completely collapsed. In some places, there are small chambers with round pits—either filled-in wells or storage units. Some rooms have high-rise staircases leading to the second floor. The caves are completely excavated; no building materials were used. Shelves were built into the walls of some "houses."
Incidentally, according to scientists, some of the caves were created much later—in the 14th and 15th centuries. They are quite spacious and could accommodate several people—entire families. One of the cave's chambers clearly had a special purpose—its entrance is marked by a portal-like structure, and the interior decoration is particularly meticulous.
The underground complex consists of two floors. The upper floor, judging by the artifacts found during excavations, contained living and prayer spaces, common rooms, and a kitchen. The lower floor contained storage areas, wells, and a natural drainage system that collected groundwater accumulating in the caves.
Due to the corrugated walls, sound is completely absorbed in Yekedishek. Recesses for lamps are carved into the walls. It's still unclear how the ventilation problem in these cells was solved. What is certain is that the caves retained a coolness in the summer heat, and the warmth of the fireplaces was maintained in the winter cold. From the narrow platform before the entrance to the catacombs, a sweeping panorama of the surrounding area opens up: from this height, in good weather, one can survey the entire area for tens of kilometers. Today, Yekedishek is a State Historical and Cultural Reserve of Turkmenistan and one of the country's popular tourist attractions. Archaeological excavations are still being conducted here, but the site is nevertheless open to tourists: a road has been built to the ascent point, the complex is electrically lit, and the floor is covered with reeds to prevent footsteps from raising dust. Experienced tour guides also work in the cave complex.
TurkmenistanCarved into clayey sandstone 100 meters above the river, it consists of a two-level labyrinth of cave dwellings connected by a long gallery-corridor with a semi-cylindrical vault. The caves extend 37 meters deep.
There is only one entrance to the underground city. Hence the name of the landmark—Yekedeshik (meaning "one opening" in Turkmen). Having only one entrance likely made the caves invisible and virtually impenetrable.
These caves are poorly studied, and their origins are unknown, but scientists speculate that Ekedeshik appeared around the first century BC. This cave is mentioned in many Turkmen tales and legends. Some claim that camel caravans could enter and exit the cave in two rows. According to one legend, the cave was dug by the warriors of Alexander the Great, who came to the territory of today's Turkmenistan in 334 BC; another claims it is the natural creation of powerful genies. Most archaeologists assume that Ekedeshik was an underground monastery for Christian or Buddhist monks who lived in Central Asia in ancient times.
In total, the cave city contains 44 separate rooms. Thirty-five of them are accessible, but several have completely collapsed. In some places, there are small chambers with round pits—either filled-in wells or storage units. Some rooms have high-rise staircases leading to the second floor. The caves are completely excavated; no building materials were used. Shelves were built into the walls of some "houses."
Incidentally, according to scientists, some of the caves were created much later—in the 14th and 15th centuries. They are quite spacious and could accommodate several people—entire families. One of the cave's chambers clearly had a special purpose—its entrance is marked by a portal-like structure, and the interior decoration is particularly meticulous.
The underground complex consists of two floors. The upper floor, judging by the artifacts found during excavations, contained living and prayer spaces, common rooms, and a kitchen. The lower floor contained storage areas, wells, and a natural drainage system that collected groundwater accumulating in the caves.
Due to the corrugated walls, sound is completely absorbed in Yekedishek. Recesses for lamps are carved into the walls. It's still unclear how the ventilation problem in these cells was solved. What is certain is that the caves retained a coolness in the summer heat, and the warmth of the fireplaces was maintained in the winter cold. From the narrow platform before the entrance to the catacombs, a sweeping panorama of the surrounding area opens up: from this height, in good weather, one can survey the entire area for tens of kilometers. Today, Yekedishek is a State Historical and Cultural Reserve of Turkmenistan and one of the country's popular tourist attractions. Archaeological excavations are still being conducted here, but the site is nevertheless open to tourists: a road has been built to the ascent point, the complex is electrically lit, and the floor is covered with reeds to prevent footsteps from raising dust. Experienced tour guides also work in the cave complex.