Two sculptures of Hercules are to be erected in the Cehennemağzı Cave located in Zonguldak's Ereğli district.

In mythology the cave is believed to be the place from where Hercules went to the “land of the dead” (Hades), from which no mortal can return, where he encountered monsters, heroes and ghosts in order to bring back the vicious beast, Cerberus.

Hercules is the archetype for bravery and proof that "might makes right." His endeavors made Hercules the perfect embodiment of the Greek concept of “pathos,” the experiencing of virtuous struggle and suffering that leads to fame and, in Hercules' case, immortality.

Cehennemağzı Cave is popular with tourists because of its interesting story, in which, as part of his sentence, Hercules is obliged to enter the cave to undertake the last task of 12 ordered by Eurystheus, the king of Argolis.

Hercules manages to bring Cerberus from Hades to Eurystheus by using the cave, with guidance from the gods Hermes and Athena, although Hercules later returns Cerberus to the land of the dead due to King Eurystheus' fear of Cerberus, who is usually depicted with three heads, a dragon tail and snakes writhing from his body.

The sculptures are to be completed by the end of 2006 and are expected to contribute to tourism, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Zonguldak's Provincial Culture and Tourism director Zekai Kasap said the cave receives a great deal of attention from both Turkish and foreign tourists due to its connection with the mythological character, Hercules. “The cave, one of the first places of worship when Christianity was banned, is also important for religious tourism. One sculpture of Hercules will be erected inside the cave and the other outside,” he said.