20.09.2025 14:51
In Artvin, the underground caves surrounded by rocks, which the locals call "buzhane," are used for storing food and beverages throughout the year. The local residents state that none of the food stored here goes to waste, saying, "We show it to our guests from other villages and outside the province. We offer them vegetables from inside. Everyone is surprised and really likes it."
The residents of Çalışkanlar hamlet, located at an altitude of 1600 meters in Ortaköy, which is connected to the center of Artvin, store their food and beverages in nearly 40 caves that serve as a natural refrigerator, the exact date of which is unknown.
Due to their coolness in every season, the caves, referred to as "ice houses," draw attention with their proximity to each other and the doors added later to their entrances. The villagers, who store foods such as cheese, clotted cream, yogurt, meat, oil, and potatoes in the caves, also place their water there to cool it in the summer.
"EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A REFRIGERATOR AT HOME, WE STILL USE IT"
Ali Üstün, an 85-year-old resident of the hamlet, stated that no one knows the exact date of construction of the caves they call "ice houses." Üstün, who regularly uses the cave near his home, said, "Citizens put their food here, storing their winter supplies. I also have my ice house next to my home, and I use it too. Even though we have a refrigerator at home, we still use it. I was a child when these existed. My grandfather and father used these ice houses, and I have used them too. Now my children continue to use them." he said.
"NONE OF OUR FOOD GOES TO WASTE HERE"
Şenlik Uğur expressed that the caves have been passed down to them as a heritage, and they wish to leave them to future generations. Uğur explained that the caves are cooler than refrigerators, and continued:
"We call this place an ice house. We put our yogurt, strained cheese, butter, and potatoes here. This place is better than a refrigerator. It’s a natural, self-formed refrigerator. None of our food goes to waste here. There is no bitterness or tastelessness. Everything remains natural, just like the original. Our ancestors and grandfathers used these places."
İsmail Dalkılıç, who explained that the caves are approximately 3 to 4 square meters in size, said, "The foods we eat do not spoil. Everything is natural. This is a place used to ensure your products do not spoil and maintain their freshness. It’s an alternative to a refrigerator, but of course, a refrigerator is more practical." he stated.
OUTSIDERS ARE SURPRISED
Sedat Şükrüoğlu stated that they continue to use the caves, which they believe were built centuries ago. Şükrüoğlu mentioned that people coming from outside the hamlet really like the caves, saying, "The fruits and vegetables we store remain unspoiled for a month. We use them and will continue to do so. We show them to our guests from other villages and outside the province. We serve them vegetables from inside. Everyone is surprised and really likes it." he expressed.