Pileki Cave

Located 3 kilometers from the center of İyidere District, Pileki Cave is situated in the village of Çiftlik in the İyidere District. This artificial cave was formed by the extraction of pileki stone, which is used to bake traditional Black Sea dishes like hamsikoli (anchovy bread) and corn bread. Pileki, a round, hollowed-out stone bowl, is first heated over a tripod with a fire lit underneath. Once heated, it is lined with large cabbage leaves or banana leaves, and the dough for anchovy bread or corn bread is placed inside. After being removed from the tripod, the pileki is covered with an iron sheet and buried in hot ashes within the hearth. Another fire is lit on top to bake the contents evenly. Wheat flour dough can also be baked in the pileki, making it a versatile kitchen tool unique to the Black Sea region. The material used for pileki, a special type of stone, reflects the culinary traditions of the region. The cave itself, though artificial, provides a fascinating glimpse into the culinary heritage of Rize and the broader Black Sea area.