The Yazyly Canyon Natural Park, located 20 km from the Syutchuler district, covers an area of 600 hectares. On the stone walls of the canyon there are traces of the Byzantine cult, altar places and inscriptions. Because of these inscriptions, the canyon was named “Written Canyon”. The depth of the canyon is from 100 to 400 meters. The park, which is located within the boundaries of the village of Chandyr, was registered as a natural park in 1989.
A natural park is a place that is rich in flora and wildlife and unique natural beauties. The canyon, where the “Royal Route” passes, has historical significance due to its temples and rock inscriptions. Saint Paul passed through this canyon on his way from Perge to Pisidia Antioch.
After walking 300 meters up a narrow path, you cross an iron bridge to the other side of the canyon, and here you reach a rock on which Epicurus’s poem “The Free Man” is written. The name of the Written Canyon comes from this inscription.
O traveler, get ready for the road and set off; know this:
A free person is only one who has a free character.
The measure of personal freedom lies in his own nature.
And if a free man is sincere in his decision,
Honesty in the heart, that’s what makes a man noble
And it is through this that the free man rises, and not through his shortcomings.
He does not enjoy the fabricated nobility of his parents.
For parents do not give birth to a free person.
Zeus – the ancestor of all and the only root of mankind
Everyone has one chance. He takes the beauty of the body by fate
This is the true beauty of the ancestors and the state of freedom.
He who is a spiritual slave does not refrain from bad words, even if he is a double slave.
Excess is the slogan of this man, depravity is in his heart
O traveler, Epictetus was born of a slave mother, but
He was above all, like an eagle: in wisdom his spirit was wondrous.
I must say, a divine being gave birth to her. I want now (if it were possible)
Such a helpful and joyful person
Of all known people, he was born from a slave mother.
The beauty of various plants, trees and very high rocks from the inscription to the inside of the canyon is complemented by the babbling of the Göksu stream flowing to your left. Having traveled one kilometer in this way, we come across an open field. A path that descends to the left of this area leads visitors to a water source a little further on. This is the phrase “Where does the water come from” that the people you meet at the entrance to the canyon say.
It is possible to go further into the canyon from the path going in the direction of the stream. However, after 1 kilometer, the paths end and a water crossing is required at this point. As this can be dangerous, it is recommended to end this track somewhere else.
The canyon is a natural paradise for photographers. The rich vegetation as well as the variety of wildlife are a good reason to visit the area at any time of the year. You can take great photos of the stream, canyon and mountain scenery.