Zonguldak is home to a vast network of caves, many of which have been discovered early on and are spread widely across the region. This extensive cave system offers diverse exploration opportunities for tourists, adventurers, and cave athletes alike, attracting both domestic and international visitors. The Zonguldak Cave Tourist Center is dedicated to unlocking and showcasing the significant tourism potential of this unique area.
The Gokgor Cave, an important site in both Zonguldak and Turkey, is situated on the eastern slope of the Elchak River, approximately 5 kilometers southeast of Zonguldak. Visitors can marvel at a variety of natural formations inside, including stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone curtains, all displaying a rich range of colors, textures, and sizes. To enhance accessibility and enrich the visitor experience, the “Zonguldak Ankara” highway now passes through the southern part of the cave, significantly boosting its appeal to tourists.
The Zonguldak Cave Visitor Center is designed to offer rich narratives, information, and guidance about the many other caves that await discovery in the region. From the earliest design stages, the goal was to create a direct and seamless geographical connection between the entrance of Gokgor Cave and its surroundings. Architecturally, the center adopts a language that integrates harmoniously with the natural wonders shaped over millions of years.
This design can be described as a concealed structure positioned at the cave entrance, though it is not entirely hidden. It subtly adheres to the slopes and contours of the cave, presenting itself in a discreet yet perceptible way. The roof surface blends seamlessly with the mountain’s base, while the interior faces an open courtyard nestled between the rocks.
Additionally, the design features a continuous pedestrian pathway that runs through the cave and connects to the mountain’s edge, guiding visitors from the center outward into the surrounding natural environment.
Our vision is to create a unique environment where visitors can have direct access to a cave with a history spanning 3 million years, immersing themselves in the stories and information the space conveys.
Project drawings
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Base map
△ Layer relationship diagram
△ Plan view
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Detailed drawing
△ Detailed drawing
△ Detailed drawing
△ Detailed drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: Yalin Architectural Design
Area: 700 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographers: Egemen Karakaya, Murat Germen
Lead Architect: Ömer Selçuk Baz
Design Team: Ece Özdür, Atakan Koca, Fatma Sezgin, Firdevs Erşi, Pelin Yıldız
Visual Consultant: Cihan Poçan
Cave Science Consultant: Hamdi Mengi
Technical Advisors: Kivi Stratejik Planlama, Okan Bal
Exhibition Design: Ahmet Öktem Arıç Sanat Tasarım
Landscape Design: Cey Peyzaj
Lighting Design: O2 Design
Structural Engineering: Parlar Engineering
Electrical Engineering: Tasarım Proje
General Contractor: Yıldırım Yapı
Construction Measurement: Hüseyin Arslan
Location: Türkiye
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