Only dwarves can enter: That mountain in Elazığ has preserved its mystery for years.
The tunnels on Nimri Mountain in Elazığ, which were allegedly opened to extract gold and could only be entered and worked in by dwarves, have remained shrouded in mystery for years. These tunnels, which attract significant interest from the public, continue to astonish those who see them.
Located in Keban district, the tunnels on Nimri Mountain, accessible only to dwarves, have preserved their mystery for many years. According to legend, these tunnels were opened by Armenians many years ago, and only dwarves worked there to extract gold. It is said that orphaned children were struck on the nape of the neck to ensure they remained dwarves and were then made to work in the tunnels. This tale has been passed down through generations. Curious about the legend, people come to Nimri Mountain to see these tunnels. The local community hopes for initiatives to develop these sites for tourism.
"The interior of the caves branches out"
Fethi Oruç, who provided information about the legend, said, "During the period when Armenians lived here, many tunnels were opened. The unique feature of these galleries is their narrowness. According to the legend, gold was extracted here during the Armenian era, and this story has been passed down to our times. The most notable feature is that, as they say, dwarves worked here. We don't know how much of this is true or false. These caves are spread over a very large area. They are interesting caves. It would be nice to develop these caves for tourism. We want people to come and see these caves. According to the legends, orphans had procedures done on their skulls, which hindered their development, and these children were then made to work in the mines."
Oruç mentioned that many people are eager to visit the region to see the caves. He added, "In previous years, there was some economic benefit from mining, but it could also be developed for tourism in the future. We entered one of the caves here. The interior branches out, and they only followed the gold veins. There is probably a similar cave above, which might be for ventilation. It is a narrow and interesting place. It is very different from the mines where our fathers and grandfathers worked. Inside, you have to bend down or even crawl in some areas."