03.05.2025 13:20
Once home to 250 households, the Taşhan neighborhood in Kayseri has largely been abandoned due to the Yamula Dam. However, 76-year-old Cyprus veteran Ali Altun continues to live in the old village with his son, Kemal Altun, who has been bedridden since birth. Ali Altun expressed his feelings, saying, "I have been waiting for this village for my son for 35 years. Village life is good for him. When I die, this village will completely come to an end."
In Kayseri, Cyprus veteran Ali Altun (76) and his son Kemal Altun (35), who has been bedridden since birth, live in the abandoned Taşhan neighborhood, which was partially submerged due to the operation of the Yamula Dam built on the Kızılırmak River. Ali Altun, who stated that 250 households used to live in the neighborhood, said, "I have been waiting for this village for my son for 35 years. Village life is good for my son. The village has moved to the other side of the water. When I die, our old village will completely disappear."
A part of the Taşhan neighborhood in the Kocasinan district was submerged due to the water retention of the Yamula Dam, which was built on the Kızılırmak River and started operating in 2003. As a result of the neighborhood being submerged, some homeowners migrated to the city center, while others moved to a new settlement area established across from the submerged neighborhood. Cyprus veteran Ali Altun, a father of three, continued to stay in the old Taşhan neighborhood, where many houses have gradually collapsed over time, with his wife because his bedridden son could not be comfortable in the city center. Altun, who has been waiting for the abandoned neighborhood for 30 years, wants the neighborhood not to disappear and to be passed on to future generations.
"I AM WAITING FOR THE DESERTED VILLAGE" Ali Altun, stating that he has not left the neighborhood, said, "I have a son who is dependent on a bed. I have been waiting for this village for him for 35 years. I am waiting for this deserted village because he is comfortable in the open air. I was born here, I grew up here, and I will die here. Since my son has been bedridden for years, village life is good for him. He doesn't know hunger or thirst. He just breathes. He also looks into our eyes. The village has moved to the other side of the water. When I die, our old village will completely disappear. I am only staying here because of my child's special condition," he said.
"I WANT THE OLD VILLAGE HOUSES TO BE PRESERVED" Altun, who also stated that the abandoned neighborhood is a popular spot for photographers, said, "Visitors to the village are surprised. They are even more surprised to see that only we live in a deserted village. There are also those from the old village community who want to come and visit. I show them their grandfathers' houses and graves. Most of the houses are collapsing due to neglect. I want the old village houses in this area to be preserved. I wander around during the day. Since my son cannot eat solid food, I raise cows in this area. I take care of them. 24 hours feels insufficient for me, but my wife cannot go outside because there are no neighbors. She hears no sound other than the television. One person wanted to take me to pilgrimage, but I couldn't leave because of my son's condition. The governor and our mayors invited me to many programs during Ramadan, such as iftar or on some special days, but I couldn't attend any of them because I couldn't leave my child. One of my sons, who is in the city center, goes and helps me with our needs. Friends from a fish farm in the area also help me. I can't go anywhere, but thank God we have no problems. May God not let the state suffer," he expressed.