UNDERGROUND CITIES IN CAPPADOCIA

Before in history, peoples has built underground cities to hide and save their lives from any kind of invading and attacks. Cappadocia region has more than 400 underground cities but especially Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı and Ozkonak Underground cities are famous due to their depth and size. But today, you can even discover small and big underground shelters or underground cities beneath houses and apartments.

Derinkuyu Underground city is located to 30 kilometers far away from Nevsehir city center. It got discovered in 1963 and started to working in 1967. Derinkuyu has 50 meters depth with 8 floors but its estimated that there is 12-13 floors with 85 meters of depth. Derinkuyu has capacity to 50,000 of peoples to live inside comfortably. Even though the depth of the underground city is pretty enormous, the ventilation system was so improved for its time. Just one last recommendation, if you have claustrophobia , you may want to be careful.

DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY

Kaymaklı underground city is in 20 kilometers of distance from Nevsehir city center. It has 5000 peoples capacity. Historical sources shows that Kaymaklı Underground City is from 8 BC,Phrygia times. Even though it has 8 floors of depth, today only 4 floors are allowed to visit. First floor had barns, second floor had Church, living areas, wine and supply rooms are spread over the 3rd and 4th floors. Even though its thought that Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu has 10 kilometer long tunnels between them, its not proved yet.

KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY

Ozkonak Underground city is in 14 kilometers distance to Avanos/Nevsehir. It is estimated that Ozkonak underground city has been made by Hitites in 400BC. Stone doors were made not only for protection, but also for fighting with the enemies. Small holes were carved on the door for attacking to enemies trough these little opennings.