Özlüce Underground City

Özlüce Underground City is located in the center of Özlüce Village, approximately 6 kilometers west of Kaymaklı town, along the Nevşehir–Derinkuyu highway. The village was known as "Zeile" in the Middle Ages and later referred to as "Zile." The area exhibits the typical characteristics of a Greek (Rum) village.

Özlüce Underground City (T.C. Nevşehir Valiliği)

Architectural and Geological Features

At the entrance of the underground city, there are two interconnected arched chambers constructed from basalt. Compared to the rock-cut structures that form the main part of the underground city, these chambers are relatively more recent architectural additions. The entrance corridor is lined with rubble stones and is approximately 15 meters long. At the end of the corridor, there is a large rolling stone made of hard granite, with an estimated diameter of 1.75 meters.

Özlüce Underground City differs from other underground cities in terms of both its geological composition and architectural design. The tuff in the region appears in various colors, and unlike the vertically stratified layout seen in other sites, Özlüce is built with a more horizontally expansive plan.

Interior Spaces and Layout

The main chamber near the entrance is the largest space in the underground complex and consists of two primary sections. On the right side of this chamber are food storage areas, while the left side contains living quarters. Along the long galleries branching from the main chamber are cell-like rooms, many of which contain floor traps, likely intended for defense.