When the ground shakes and buildings crumble, most people rebuild. Ali Bozoğlan did the opposite. After a devastating earthquake in 2023 reduced his home to rubble, he turned his back on modern construction and moved into a cave—where he’s been living ever since.
The 7.8-magnitude quake that struck southern Turkey killed tens of thousands and left cities in ruins. Ali, a father of three from Hatay, survived. But watching entire neighborhoods collapse convinced him that man-made structures weren’t worth the risk. So, he found a cave on the outskirts of town and made it home. He sleeps better knowing the rock walls have stood for thousands of years without breaking.
Authorities tried to talk him back into civilization. They even offered him a cozy container home, a safer and more comfortable alternative. He wasn’t interested. The quiet, the solitude, the pure simplicity—his cave had everything he wanted.
Life in a cave isn’t luxury living, but Ali makes it work. He cooks, cleans, and even does laundry. No running water, no proper toilet, and the occasional visit from snakes and rodents? Minor inconveniences. He’s even planning to install solar panels so he can power a fridge and washing machine.
Critics call him crazy. He calls them ignorant. They don’t know him, don’t understand his decision, and wouldn’t last a day in his shoes. He’s at peace, living on his terms, and isn’t about to trade that in for four walls and a roof that could come crashing down any minute.
Five Fast Facts
- The 2023 Turkey earthquake was one of the deadliest in the country’s history, killing over 50,000 people.
- Hatay, the province where Ali lives, is one of Turkey’s oldest settlements, dating back over 3,000 years.
- Natural caves have been used as human shelters for over 100,000 years and often provide better insulation than modern homes.
- Some of the oldest known cave dwellings in Turkey, like the Cappadocia cave homes, have been continuously inhabited for centuries.
- Solar panels can still generate power in caves if placed outside in direct sunlight, making off-grid living more feasible.
