Koca Katran, Natural monument cedar tree in Çığlıkara Nature Reserve, Turkey.
Koca Katran is a protected cedar tree in the Çığlıkara Nature Reserve in Antalya Province, rising to around 25 meters with a trunk circumference of roughly 8 meters. The tree stands within a cedar forest and is designated as a natural monument because of its exceptional size.
The tree was officially registered as a natural monument in 1995, becoming a protected landmark in Turkey's modern conservation history. It has persisted through centuries of change in this region of southern Anatolia.
The name Koca Katran means 'big cedar' in Turkish and reflects how local communities have long valued ancient trees in this region. Such trees hold a special place in the stories and traditions of the people who live nearby.
Visitors need authorization from forestry authorities before visiting, and the route passes through the Elmalı district in Antalya Province. Planning ahead is important to arrange the necessary permits before traveling.
The Ministry of Forest and Water Management actively maintains this tree as a protected landmark. Few visitors realize that the trunk itself acts like a living record, with its wood structure documenting thousands of years of regional history.
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