From Cappadocia to Missouri: Over 30 Gorgeous Cave Houses

Stone houses invoke thoughts of dark, cold, and damp places full of creepy creatures.
Some cultures have battled these prejudices for centuries, building dwellings deep into rock, and now modern architects are giving it a shot. With all of the warmth and convenience of a suburban home, a cave house is beginning to look a lot more tempting.

(Images via vncegroup, cabinzoom, cavesspain, inhabitat, channel4)

Underground homes are most well known in films like Lord of the Rings, but there’s actually a large green movement promoting their expansion into the currently conformist development culture. Underground homes are cheaper to heat and cool, allow for a lot more plant life, and require less materials to build.

(Images via samanthamuse, inhabitat, localpropertyindex, regent-estates-group)

Spain is known for the running of the bulls, and its fine wine and food, but a less well known tourist destination is Spain’s variety of cave homes. Subtly built into existing stone, or built at large cave entrances, these homes are stunning and organic. Tourists will pay a hefty price to spend a night in such unusual settings.

(Images via chinablog, pbase)

Yaodongs are dug out shelters found throughout northern China, sculpted straight out of the hard rock walls. Requiring less material to create these homes, yaodongs are quire popular. Entire villages have been built into the sides of mountains.

(Images via theshady80, hotelclub)

Rocks homes are by nature unique, but some are more interesting than others. A home built into a freestanding stone looks unusual but amazing, whereas an entire monastery built out of the very rock it rests on is wondrous in its own right.

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Missouri is home to a lot of random things, including a sprawling cave home built directly into a cliff face. The owners have designed around the natural rock formations and managed to include all the amenities of the modern home. The house even has its own performance area – a huge underground room large enough to host entire parties or bandstands.

(Images via theshady80, chatdd)

Iran has its own set of incredible homes built in the valleys and cliffs. It would be fantastic to be privy to the interior of one of these edifices, though just viewing the unique design of their entrances is enough to pique any architect’s interest.

(Images via copleys, weirdomatic, thedailygreen, thedailygreen)

Cave interiors aren’t necessarily as cold and damp as one might expect. With a little organic lighting and some careful interior design choices, they can be just as cozy as anything above ground.

(Images via arkansas, tashaschmidt, spasticgoat, hotel-in-cappadocia)

Imagine staying as a guest in someone’s home, or in a hotel room, that involved entering the heart of a mountain. The living room seems a bit more exciting when it’s surrounded by natural rock formations and oddly shaped stone walls.

(Images via welton, seehere, pitt, turkeytravelplanner, lazybeggers, rolfgross)

While the depth of a cave is the measure of its worth, it’s okay to be a little shallow in one’s appreciation. A quick glance across a variety of cave home entrances and one easily notices what works and what doesn’t; windows are a must, and a little greenery doesn’t hurt.

(Images via planetware, spotcoolstuff, spotcoolstuff, kusadasi, geodeluxe)

Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey that is famous for its gorgeous and interesting architectural specialty… entire villages and hotels have been dug deep into the rock. The hotels and resorts in this area are internationally renowned for their unique design and luxurious accommodations.