Lake Tuz (Salt Lake)

Lake Tuz (Tuz Gölü, “Salt Lake”), shared by the provinces of Ankara, Konya and Aksaray, is the second-largest lake in Turkey. It lies in a closed basin; in summer most of its water evaporates and the surface is covered by a white salt crust renewed every year.

Declared a Special Environmental Protection Area in 2001, it is one of Turkey’s richest lakes for birdlife and the country’s most important flamingo breeding ground. From Aksaray, the easiest access is via the Eskil district.

Ancient Lake Tatta

In antiquity Lake Tuz was known as Tatta and lay on the border between Lycaonia and Galatia. Ancient writers recorded how extremely salty it was.

In prehistoric times Tatta was a vast freshwater lake, much larger than today. Between about 11,000 and 5,000 years ago the climate changed, many of its feeder rivers dried up or changed course, and the lake shrank and became saline.

Nature and birds

Kültür Portalı records 85 bird species, 129 insect species (4 endemic), 15 mammal species and 38 endemic plant species. Because of its high salinity the lake does not freeze in winter, making it an important refuge for migrating birds.

• Greater flamingo (large breeding colonies on islets in the south)
• Greater white-fronted goose (second-largest breeding site in Turkey)
• Cranes, avocets, ruddy shelducks, plovers and wild ducks
• Endemic plants adapted to salt and drought

Salt production

In August the lake largely dries up, exposing a salt layer averaging 30 cm thick. Its three main salt works produce about 63% of the salt consumed in Turkey.

Getting there from Neva Apart

Neva Apart is in Aksaray city centre, a few minutes’ walk from the Zinciriye Madrasa and the Grand Mosque; the distances below are measured from our aparthotel.

From Aksaray the easiest access is via Eskil; the birdwatching area on the Eskil shore is about 60 km from Neva Apart, a 50–60-minute drive. The busier, more touristy salt-walking spots are on the Şereflikoçhisar (Ankara) side. Sultanhanı Caravanserai can be added on the way back.

Tips for your visit

According to Kültür Portalı the water starts to recede in May; from June you can walk on the lake bed, and from July to November on the white salt crust. Sunset backlight makes for unforgettable photos.

The salt reflects sunlight strongly: sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen are essential. Wear old shoes or sandals, as brine damages footwear. Keep your distance from bird colonies.

The Salt Lake Ultra Marathon, promoted as the world’s only multi-stage ultra race run on a salt lake, is held here too.

Other places nearby

• Sultanhanı Caravanserai – Built in 1229 under Sultan Alaeddin Kayqubad I, with a 13 m marble portal and a kiosk mosque in its courtyard — the largest medieval caravanserai in Turkey.
• Acemhöyük (Purušhattum) – Seat of a “Great King” in the Assyrian Trade Colony Period, identified with Purušhattum of Akkadian and Hittite texts — one of Anatolia’s largest mounds, with the Sarıkaya Palace.
• Aksaray Museum – Home to a 10,500-year-old skull bearing the earliest known brain surgery, the Ihlara and Çanlı Kilise mummies and the Luwian Aksaray Stele — 10,000 years of local history.
• Grand Mosque of Aksaray (Ulu Cami) – Built in 1408–1409 for Mehmed II of Karaman, Aksaray’s Grand Mosque pairs a Seljuk-style carved portal with a pointed-arched stone prayer hall.

Sources

• Kültür Portalı – Tuz Gölü (T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı)
• Wikipedia – Lake Tuz

Image credits

• The white salt crust on the shore of Lake Tuz – Wokege, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
• Aerial view of Lake Tuz – NATO E-3A Component, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons