The Cappadocia region is home to approximately 150-200 underground settlements of varying sizes, which represent a significant cultural heritage. This number is likely to increase, as there are numerous rock settlements in all the towns and villages in the region. The majority of these settlements were constructed by carving down soft tuff, which was then used to create deep caves. The construction of underground cities was motivated by the desire to provide a secure environment for the inhabitants. The extensive network of interconnected rooms and galleries within these cities, often referred to as labyrinths, served to limit the movement of potential enemies. Özkonak Underground City provides an illustrative example of this architectural approach. The underground city, situated 14 km from Avanos, is carved on the northern slopes of Mount Idiş, where the volcanic granite structure tuff layers are particularly dense. The extensive galleries, which traverse vast areas, are interconnected by tunnels. In contrast to the subterranean cities of Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu, the underground city of Özkonak features narrow and elongated openings that facilitate communication between the floors. When the entrances of the rooms are properly sealed, ventilation is also provided by the narrow (5 cm) and long holes.
ÖZKONAK UNDERGROUND CITY
