Özkonak, Underground city in Avanos, Turkey
Özkonak is an underground city near Avanos carved into dense tuff rock across multiple levels on the northern slopes of Mount İdis. The complex contains numerous chambers and tunnels extending vertically through the stone, each serving different functions for inhabitants.
The site began around the 4th century BC as a refuge against invasions and sheltered Late Hittite principalities who made it their home. Its construction answered the need of communities to protect themselves from outside threats.
The settlement reflects how people organized their domestic life underground, with dedicated spaces for livestock, food storage, and worship arranged across multiple floors.
Wear sturdy shoes because the stairs and passages are uneven and sometimes slippery from moisture. The temperature inside remains cool year-round, so bring a light jacket even during summer months.
The defense system relied on narrow tunnels designed for single-file movement and heavy stone doors that sealed shut from the inside. These features reveal how carefully inhabitants controlled who could enter.
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