Cappadocia Underground Cities

Cappadocia, with its underground cities that rewrite history beneath our feet, hosts some of the world’s largest subterranean settlements. Underground cities were home and shelter to many different civilizations and each one constructed in different times and ages. First reason to carve these cappadocia underground cities was to use them as cool storages because like people in Nevşehir still use them to store fruits and vegetables. After a while they started to hide from the enemies and use the underground cities with another purpose, to survive. These underground cities are a marvel of human ingenuity. Today, archaeological excavations and research continue to reveal their mysteries. Visiting Cappadocia underground cities allows you to experience their grandeur, complemented by the breathtaking views of valleys and open-air museums from a hot air balloon ride. This article delves into the underground cities of Nevşehir. Before we explain to you about Cappadocia Underground Cities one by one let’s take a look at first what are cappadocia underground cities, are you ready? Let’s explore them together.

What Are Cappadocia Underground Cities?

Underground cities are settlements built by ancient civilizations to protect and shelter themselves. These cities typically contain wineries, kitchens, small rooms, living spaces, churches, cemeteries, storage areas, and stables. As you explore these underground cities, you’ll be amazed and intrigued by the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the people who created them in ancient times.

Although these cities were initially constructed for protection against enemies, some of Cappadocia’s underground cities were also used as permanent residences.

Over 200 underground cities are believed to have been built in Cappadocia, but many remain undiscovered. Some cities, like the Tatlarin Underground City, cannot be fully explored, while others were not solely built as shelters. This makes Cappadocia a place of endless intrigue, where even the ground beneath your feet may conceal undiscovered wonders waiting to be explored.

Cappadocia Underground Cities: Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu is the largest underground city in Cappadocia, built by the first Christians and reaching a depth of 85 meters. This is equivalent to constructing a 17-story skyscraper underground. The tunnels were intentionally made narrow to hinder the movement of enemy soldiers.

Discovered by chance in 1963 and opened to tourism in 1967, Derinkuyu is named after the deep wells, approximately 60-70 meters deep, that provided drinking water.

The entrances to Cappadocia underground cities were designed to be inconspicuous, and the cities themselves contained living spaces that allowed people to remain underground for extended periods. Derinkuyu is thought to have 12 or 13 levels, featuring ventilation shafts, food storage areas, monasteries, wineries, toilets, meeting rooms, and water wells. It is the largest and most famous of Cappadocia underground cities.

The Legend of Derinkuyu Underground City

As the world’s largest underground city, Derinkuyu astonishes visitors with its scale and complexity. Unsurprisingly, many legends surround its origins, the most famous being that it was inhabited by angels. According to the legend, angels loved this place and began living there. Later, malevolent spirits tried to destroy the angels, prompting them to build the underground cities for protection. While this is just a legend, the extraordinary structures defy simple explanations.

Cappadocia Underground Cities: Kaymaklı Underground City

Kaymaklı underground consists of eight levels, but only four floors open for visit, Kaymaklı Underground City is one of the biggest and oldest underground cities in Cappadocia, dated 3.000 B.C Hittites period in Anatolia, right now only %10 of the underground city is open for visit but archeologists are assuming that in full capacity 5.000 people can live in inside at the same time. A 7-kilometer tunnel connects Derinkuyu to Kaymaklı Underground City. Some of these tunnels interconnect like tree roots beneath the surface. though only four are open to visitors. Even these four levels are enough to leave visitors in awe.

Architecture of Kaymaklı Underground City

The first level features a stable. To the left of the stable is a rolling stone door, which leads to a passage connecting to a church. Carved rooms are also located on the right side of the corridor, serving as living quarters.

On the second level, visitors encounter another church, which features a single nave and two apses. Baptismal stones and seating platforms are located in front of the apses. This level also contains tombs, believed to belong to religious figures. Living spaces are also present.

The third level is the most significant, containing kitchens, storage rooms, and wineries. The fourth level includes additional wineries, with numerous storage areas and large jars. These indicate that the inhabitants likely had a steady income.

Though the last four levels remain inaccessible, the open levels reveal the exceptional craftsmanship of ancient civilizations. It’s fascinating to imagine what the remaining levels might contain.

Cappadocia Underground Cities: Özkonak Underground City

Believed to have been built around 400 BC, Özkonak Underground City served as both a shelter and a food storage facility. Archaeologists suggest it was a residence for local rulers during the Hittite period before becoming part of the Persian and Hellenistic Roman empires. Early Christians later took refuge here during Byzantine oppression and Arab invasions, carving out an entire city under the guidance of Saint Basil.

Cappadocia Underground Cities: Mazı Underground City

Dating back to the Hellenistic period, Mazı Underground City is believed to be around 2,000 years old, serving civilizations such as the Phrygians, Lydians, and Byzantines. It consists of eight levels with four entrances. The top level contains stables, and the city supported up to 6,000 inhabitants through livestock farming. Other areas include storage rooms, wine cellars, living quarters, and baths.

Cappadocia Underground Cities: Tatlarin Underground City

Located in Tatlarin Village near Nevşehir’s Acıgöl district, this city was discovered in 1975 and opened to tourists in 1991. The city’s exact number of levels is unknown, though two are open for exploration. Visitors can enter through a 15-meter tunnel since the main entrance has collapsed.

The first section features a large hall that may have served as a prison or burial site during Roman times before being converted into a storage area during the Byzantine era. The second section includes a stable, designed for quick evacuation of animals during emergencies.

Cappadocia Underground Cities: Sivasa Gökçetoprak and Özlüce Underground Cities

Sivasa Gökçetoprak differs geologically from other underground cities in Nevşehir and is believed to have two levels. Özlüce Underground City, located near the village of Kaymaklı, consists of a single level and remains closed to tourists due to safety concerns.

Conclusion

The underground cities of Cappadocia, with their thousands of years of history, are architectural marvels that continue to amaze visitors. These sites are among Cappadocia’s most important historical landmarks, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity and resilience of ancient civilizations. A visit to these cities is an unforgettable journey into the depths of history.