Discover Turkey’s Most Fascinating Underground Cities
Turkey, which has been home to countless civilisations for thousands of years, stands out as one of the most important cultural heritage sites in world history. Anatolia captivates visitors not only with its magnificent palaces, castles and temples above ground, but also with its fascinating structures hidden underground, waiting to be discovered. One of these mysterious structures is the underground cities. Concentrated mainly in Nevşehir and its surroundings, in the heart of Cappadocia, these structures attract great interest both for their architectural ingenuity and their historical significance. Used by people for centuries as shelters, living spaces and places of worship, these underground cities are masterpieces that rival the ancient cities above ground. In this article, we will introduce you to five underground cities in Turkey that are a must-see and stand out for their historical, architectural, and cultural significance.
So, what are the best underground cities in Turkey? Let's explore together!
Derinkuyu Underground City
One of Cappadocia's deepest and most famous underground cities, Derinkuyu Underground City is like a huge settlement complex hidden beneath the earth's surface. Located in the Derinkuyu district of Nevşehir province, this structure offers visitors a labyrinthine atmosphere with its depth spanning eight floors and a complex structure.
Built by carving into volcanic tuff rocks, this city has been used for various purposes throughout history. Especially during the Roman Empire, Christian communities sought refuge in this underground city to escape persecution; they established churches, provided education, and performed their religious rituals here. Derinkuyu has many sections, including stables for animals, living areas for the people, pantries, kitchens, dining halls, and schools where missionaries were educated.
In addition, this city has ventilation chimneys that allow passage between floors and large stone sliding doors used for security. With all these features, Derinkuyu is not just a shelter; it is also a living system built underground.
Source: Tripadvisor
Kaymaklı Underground City
Another important underground settlement in the Cappadocia region, Kaymaklı Underground City, attracts visitors not only for its historical past but also for its complex structure. Located in the town of Kaymaklı, which is part of Nevşehir, this city has a history dating back to 3000 BC and is thought to have been first used by the Hittites.
Of the eight known levels of the underground city, only four are currently open to visitors. Kaymaklı features a labyrinthine structure with narrow corridors connecting its various sections. The city includes numerous essential living spaces such as water reservoirs, kitchens, storage rooms, places of worship, and churches. Additionally, the city's wide ventilation shafts, water wells, and sliding stones ensured air circulation and provided protection against enemies.
Kaymaklı is not merely a shelter; it is a comprehensive living space designed to meet all the needs of a community.
Source: Müze.gov.tr
Source: Kültür Portalı
Mazı Underground City
Formerly known as Mazata, Mazı Underground City, located within the boundaries of Mazı Village today, stands out for its size and numerous barn structures. Mazı, which was a large settlement area in ancient times, has reached its present state with four separate entrances.
The main entrance is a short, narrow corridor, and a large sliding stone was used here for security purposes. The other entrances are also equipped with similar security measures. The underground city's church is quite unique; its façade is decorated with carefully crafted reliefs, and its apse is particularly striking. The entrance to this church is also designed to be closed with a sliding stone.
Mazı Underground City offers visitors seeking to explore the mysterious world beneath the ground an unforgettable experience, both in terms of its architectural details and its robust protection systems.
Source: Müze.gov.tr
Özkonak Underground City
Located at the foot of Mount İdiş in the Avanos district of Nevşehir, Özkonak Underground City differs from other underground cities in that it has a tunnel system connected by galleries. Carved out of volcanic granite tuff, this settlement covers an extremely large area.
Security measures in Özkonak are quite advanced. In addition to sliding stones, there are special holes carved into the walls, thought to have been used to pour hot oil on enemies. These defence systems demonstrate how strategically the settlement was built. The city also features narrow pipes (chimneys) with an average diameter of 5 cm, which were built to facilitate communication between floors. These pipes were also used for ventilation.
With its architectural ingenuity and functional solutions, Özkonak occupies a unique place among underground cities.
Source: Müze.gov.tr
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