Özkonak Underground City

Özkonak Underground City is a lesser-known yet remarkable subterranean settlement in Cappadocia, Turkey. Constructed by the Hittites and expanded by early Christians, it features an intricate network of tunnels, ventilation shafts, and communication systems across ten levels. Unique to Özkonak are its strategic defense mechanisms, including small holes above tunnels for pouring hot oil on invaders. Visitors can explore communal spaces, storage rooms, and kitchens, marveling at the city’s clever design that ensured safety and self-sufficiency for its inhabitants.