Uncontrolled tourism threatens ancient Giant Cauldrons
MANİSA
The Giant Cauldrons, a series of natural rock pools in the Tabak Stream canyon in the western province of Manisa, are facing growing environmental damage as uncontrolled tourism and littering threaten one of the region’s most significant natural heritage sites.
Formed over thousands of years by water erosion, the rock formations are located near the ancient city of Sardes, the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, within the UNESCO Global Geopark network. According to local legend, the pools were once used by Lydian kings and the mythical Phrygian King Midas for bathing.
Despite their geological and historical significance, the site has become increasingly vulnerable to environmental degradation due to a lack of visitor infrastructure.
