Özükavak: Spring Greenery and Ancient Stone Heritage

In spring, Özükavak reveals a green highland landscape while also preserving remarkable stone heritage. The yaylas invite visitors to picnic at this time of year; the archaeological site and its finds give the place a distinctive cultural and historical character.

Spring among the Yaylas and Picnics

As temperatures rise, the yaylas and mountain areas of Özükavak turn a lush green. In spring, the yaylas welcome both seasonal users and people looking to picnic. Families spend the day there picnicking in the green landscape.

In 2025, picnic shelters were installed for public use at Sıtma Pınarı in the Özükavak Yaylası. If you plan to visit this spot, check the condition of the shelters before setting out.

An Archaeological Site with Tiered Boundaries

On August 28, 2025, the Dörtdönüm Mevkii Tepeüstü settlement in Özükavak’s Bağlarbaşı Mahallesi was registered as a third-degree archaeological site. Some parcels are wholly within the third-degree archaeological excavation or protection area, while others are partly within it. The designation therefore applies to the parcels to varying extents.

Stone Objects with Distinctive Forms

In the courtyard of Yakup Cami is a limestone screw weight stone dating from the 4th to 6th centuries AD. It is 0.78 metres long, 0.70 metres wide and 0.62 metres high. A relief medallion on one side bears a Maltese cross—a striking motif on a solid stone with clearly recorded measurements.

Also preserved in the courtyard is a partially worked limestone column base dating from the 5th to 6th centuries AD. It has two smooth, unprofiled plinths, a torus and a right-angled profile. Its top has a dowel hole with a diameter of 0.065 metres, as well as a lead-pouring channel. Two undecorated column impost capitals dating from the 4th to 6th centuries complement these architectural forms. Both are only partially worked, and each has a flat profile 0.11 metres high in the abacus area.

Other stone objects can also be found at various locations in Özükavak. The garden of the water tank contains a marble frieze block dating from the 4th to 6th centuries, with 18 groove motifs. Its underside and front have breaks and missing sections. In front of the municipal office building are two shallow, circular limestone mortaria with central axial sockets. The larger measures 1.90 metres in diameter and 0.58 metres in height; the other is 1.66 metres in diameter and 0.46 metres high. Comparing them makes the difference in size between the two forms clear. Four objects recorded in front of the municipal office building also provide evidence of screw weights used in the region to crush fruit.

The courtyard of the Yağmur Baba Türbe also contains an undecorated limestone door lintel block. It is 2.14 metres long, 0.35 metres high and 0.86 metres deep.

Textile Heritage Complements the Local Picture

The textiles associated with Özükavak include a flour sack from the mid-20th century. Its warp is cotton, while the weft and decoration are made of wool yarn. A carpet cushion from Çekerek-Özükavak is associated with Bedrettin Gökdemir as the informant. Alongside the stone forms, textile objects also emerge as part of the cultural heritage.

Choose the Focus of Your Holiday

Two distinct themes stand out for your trip: seasonal spring greenery and picnics, and stone and textile heritage. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Özükavak, your travel dates and personal interests can guide your choice: would you like your stay to focus primarily on the spring landscape or on cultural and historical details?

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