The Rolling Doors
Massive stone wheels used to block corridors, featuring a central hole to spear invaders.
The origins of Özkonak Underground City are believed to date back to the Hittite period, though the majority of its construction and expansion occurred during the Byzantine era (6th-10th centuries). It served as a temporary refuge for thousands of people during periods of invasion and religious persecution.
The city was carved into the soft volcanic tuff, a material that is easy to excavate but hardens upon contact with air. This allowed the ancient builders to create vast complexes featuring living rooms, kitchens, storage areas for food and wine, and even wells. The city could potentially house up to 60,000 people for months at a time.
One of the most striking features of Özkonak is its strategic layout. Unlike the sprawling, deep tunnels of Derinkuyu, Özkonak is built into a hillside, allowing for more horizontal expansion. The architectural precision is visible in the air shafts, which were disguised at the surface to prevent enemies from poisoning the water or air supply.
The discovery of the city is a famous local tale: a farmer named Latif Acar noticed that the water he used for his crops was mysteriously disappearing into the ground. Upon investigating, he uncovered the entrance to this massive subterranean world, which had been forgotten for centuries.