Pargasur Waterfall lies within the village boundaries of Kalkanlı in Yayladere District. Amid a rocky area, it plunges from a height of about 30 metres. The Pargasur rock complex, with its rock settlement, is also within the village boundaries. This combination of a waterfall and rock architecture makes Kalkanlı a destination with two distinct highlights. If you would like to take both landscapes and cultural rock structures into account when deciding on your trip, you can consider the individual sites in terms of their location and character.

Waterfall and rocks

The approximate 30-metre drop describes the waterfall. The Pargasur rock settlement, by contrast, was carved into rocks 40 to 45 metres high. The two measurements therefore refer to different features: the waterfall plunging down on the one hand, and the rocks containing the settlement on the other. This makes it possible to distinguish the rocky surroundings of the waterfall from the height of the rocks in which the complex is situated. Taken together, these details give a concrete impression of the two landscape and architectural features for which Kalkanlı is known.

The multi-storey Pargasur rock settlement

The Pargasur rock settlement has a multi-storey structure. The lower floor contains a niche and two rooms. A section carved into the rock to the east is apsidal in design and is interpreted as a church. The complex thus combines specific spatial features with a religious interpretation: the form of the eastern section sits alongside the niche, the two rooms and the multi-storey layout.

The Pargasur rock complex is considered an important example of rock chapels built by groups who faced severe pressure and rejected traditional religious beliefs, in order to create safe places and refuges. This interpretation adds the significance of protection and retreat to an understanding of the complex’s architectural structure. When planning your trip, the subject is therefore not only the rock formation itself, but also the religious and social interpretation of the site.

Rock art in the surrounding area

The caves of Kalkanlı are located nearby and are decorated with numerous rock engravings and other rock art. They form a cultural attraction in their own right, alongside the multi-storey Pargasur rock settlement. The caves and the waterfall they surround are considered significant tourist attractions. This means that the settlement’s architectural features are complemented by the rock art and the connection between the caves and the waterfall. Their locations differ: the settlement and waterfall are within the village boundaries, while the caves are in the surrounding area of Kalkanlı.

Cycling route and surrounding landscape

The Yayladere Pargasur Şelalesi cycling route visits the caves below and around Pargasur Waterfall. Access may vary; if you are planning a specific tour, check access in advance. Further afield in the region, the cycling route passes through oak forests inhabited by wildlife and mountain goats. This landscape is part of the route’s broader regional context and should be distinguished from the attractions located specifically within the village boundaries.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Kalkanlı, the different highlights can help you choose what to explore: the natural formation at the waterfall, the layout of the rock settlement or the rock art in the nearby caves. The waterfall and settlement are within the village; the caves add to what is on offer in the surrounding area. This can help you decide whether you are particularly interested in the landscape, rock architecture or the combination of the two.

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