04.02.2026 21:22
The historical underground structures located in the area surrounded by walls 500 meters long on Gebeoğlu Hill in the Cide district of Kastamonu have been virtually plundered by treasure hunters. Citizens living in the area stated that they have entered the underground chambers multiple times and requested that the region be protected.
Gebeoglu Hill, located in the Cide district of Kastamonu, draws attention with its wall remains and underground settlement areas known by villagers for many years. The structures, whose entrances are covered with earth mounds, are believed to have been used as an underground city during the Chalcolithic period and after the Roman Empire accepted Christianity.
PLUNDERED BY TREASURE HUNTERS However, the underground remains in the area surrounded by walls approximately 500 meters long at the foot of Gebeoğlu Hill have been plundered by treasure hunters. The structures in the area, where citizens living in the region have stated that there are many rooms and caves underground, have been destroyed due to illegal excavations by treasure hunters.
"I USED TO SEE A LIGHT WHEN I CAME HERE BEFORE..." Hikmet Haberal, a faculty member at Kastamonu University Vocational School of Vehicle Rafet Vergili, who conducted examinations in the region, stated that the area needs to be studied and protected, and said: "While adventure tourism routes are being created in Kastamonu, when we arrived at our destination, Cide, we explored and wandered around here. While wandering in many areas, we crossed paths with Hasan Ünlü. We took Hasan as our guide. There were columns in the places Hasan mentioned to us. The rock formations were incredible. Since there were building stones, we saw that some Horasan stones were made with mortars. When we walked around the large rock mass we saw behind us, we saw places like caves and tunnels, and we passed through here. We walked 15-20 meters. I used to see a light when I came here before, but I hesitated to proceed. At that time, we were not equipped, and we could not enter inside. Now that we came, we saw that it was completely closed. It seems that something has been done to the back side.
"WALLS AND WALLS HAVE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED, ROOMS HAVE DISAPPEARED" We understand that there is a connection with the back settlement area, and there are jars and jar fragments there. The area we visited three years ago is very different from the current area. When we came three years ago, the walls and columns were completely intact, and the rooms were visible, but now we see that they have been completely deformed. We want this place to be protected. We understand that there are remnants of a past life here. We want archaeologists to come and conduct research here. We think that Gebeoğlu Hill was used for defense purposes and that these walls were also built for defense. We saw the collapsed remains. They are just collapsed, but according to what has been said, there is a wall and wall remains of 300-400 meters. We saw it too, but it has collapsed."
"THERE WERE PERFECTLY BUILT UNDERGROUND BATH-STYLE SETTLEMENTS, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN PLUNDERED BY TREASURE HUNTERS" A citizen named Hasan Ünlü, who stated that he has entered the underground structures many times, said, "After I retired, I came here for a picnic. We met a friend there, and during the conversation, he said, 'There is a city underground here, there are houses.' We came and looked, and at that time it was 80% better than its current state. The structure was clearly visible. It was an oval-shaped structure, 2 meters deep. From there, you could pass to the room across. A door opened downwards from there. But now treasure hunters have plundered it. I have shown this place to everyone who comes for research. Everyone went inside from here. I think there is an exit on the other side. They went, turned back from the darkness, and came out. They went about 15-20 meters forward, but I did not enter. There is also a flat area at the upper part. One evening I went up there. I was scared because there is a flat area there, and it is very clear that there is a settlement underneath. There is an exit next to the area where excavation is being done below. Smugglers have plundered it, but there is a perfect structure. There are perfect structures below, there is a bath-type settlement. I have seen it many times, I have come, and I have wandered. I have brought many teams, and they have examined it too," he said.