Özlüce Underground City

Özlüce Underground City is located in the center of Özlüce Village, approximately six kilometers west of Kaymaklı town, along the Nevşehir-Derinkuyu road. The village was known as “Zeile” during the Middle Ages and later referred to as “Zile.” The region exhibits characteristics typical of a Greek village.

Özlüce Underground City (Government of Nevşehir, Republic of Türkiye)

Architectural and Geological Features

At the entrance to the underground city there is a dual-arched structure made of basalt, with interlocking arches. These elements are more recent compared to the rock-cut structures that form the main underground city. The entrance corridor is paved with rubble stones and is approximately fifteen meters long. At the end of the corridor stands a heavy granite doorstone with a diameter of about 1.75 meters.

Özlüce Underground City differs from other underground cities both in its geological composition and architectural design. The tuffs in the region vary in color, and the city’s layout is not organized in layered levels but instead spreads over a broad area.

Interior Spaces and Layout

The main chamber at the entrance constitutes the widest section of the underground settlement and consists of two primary areas. On the right side of this chamber are food storage rooms, while on the left side are sitting rooms. Along the sides of the long galleries are cell-like rooms, many of which contain traps at their floors.