Derinkuyu Underground City is an ancient multi-level underground city of the Median Empire in the Derinkuyu district in Nevşehir Province, Turkey.
Extending to a depth of approximately 60 m, it was large enough to shelter approximately 20,000 people together with their livestock and food stores.
It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is one of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia.
One of the heavy stone doors. They have a height of 1–1,5 m, 30–50 cm in width and weigh 200–500 kg. The hole in the centre can be used to open or close the millstone, or to see who is outside.
It was opened to visitors in 1969 and to date, about half of the underground city is accessible to tourists. The underground city at Derinkuyu could be closed from the inside with large stone doors. Each floor could be closed off separately.
The city could accommodate up to 20,000 people and had all the usual amenities found in other underground complexes across Cappadocia, such as wine and oil presses, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, and chapels. Unique to the Derinkuyu complex and located on the second floor is a spacious room with a barrel vaulted ceiling. It has been reported that this room was used as a religious school and the rooms to the left were studies.
Between the third and fourth levels is a vertical staircase. This passage way leads to a cruciform church on the lowest (fifth) level.
The large 55 m ventilation shaft appears to have been used as a well. The shaft also provided water to both the villagers above and, if the outside world was not accessible, to those in hiding.
History
First built in the soft volcanic rock of the Cappadocia region, possibly by the Phrygians in the 8th–7th centuries B.C according to the Turkish Department of Culture, the underground city at Derinkuyu may have been enlarged in the Byzantine era. During the Persian Achaemenid empire the city was used as a refugee settlement. There are references to underground refugee settlements built by the Persian king Yima in the second chapter of the Zoroastrian book Vendidad. Therefore many scholars believe that the city may have been built by the Persians. The city was connected with other underground cities through miles of tunnels.
Some artifacts discovered in these underground settlements belong to the Middle Byzantine Period, between the 5th and the 10th centuries A.D. It is speculated that the number of underground settlements, generally used for taking refuge and for religious purposes, increased during this era.
Derinkuyu Underground City, Cappadocia,
I was told by a few of my coworkers that I should check out an underground city in Cappadocia, so this is where my family and I decided to go. It was a huge disappointment. The drive from Goreme was boring (nothing to see along the way), and the wait in line was long.
Very unique. Amazing to see and learn about. A must in this part of the country. A guide is necessary
Cappadocia is one of the truly great experiences. Turkey is a welcoming and friendly place and Cappadocia just continues that. The whole area is fantastic and a must visit. Allow minimum 2 days for walking and ballon rides. There are many hotels and camping grounds through out the area and many of the hotels are underground. To drive from Istanbul…
Incredible! Has to be seen to be believed. I am glad I toured Derinkuyu Underground Museum even though I consider myself somewhat claustrophobic. I was very relieved to have a private guide for the cave tour, as being stuck in a large group could have been uncomfortable. While coming up a long, narrow, low, tunnel, that was the only way…
First of all, bring a flashlight as it will allow you to explore some of the hidden nooks and crannies of the underground city (we were able to go several rooms further in but in complete darkness).
This was one of the highlights of our trip. It's hard to imagine that the underground city was carved deep into the rock…
The landscape of Cappadocia is unlike anything I have ever seen before. We took the sunrise balloon ride over the fairy chimneys and the caves. I would highly recommend this. There is nothing else like it.
If you're not claustrophobic, this is another MUST visit place in Cappadocia! It's truly incredible to see how people lived 8 floors underground in the ancient times! It could very crowded at times, & turns to be very hot! You will be bending most of the time & walking through very narrow places, then climb 8 floors all the way…
Had never thought of the cave dwellings , the fairy chimneys, the underground cities, all a amazing experience .
This tour is really astonishing! To imagine that so many people lived underground in these caves is mind boggling. But, this tour is not for those who fear small, cramped spaces or being underground.
We originally were reserved to stay at the Double Tree hotel here but changed our minds and stayed at the Aydinli Cave Hotel in Goreme. We are glad we changed hotels but were also glad that our private tour included Avanos. It was interesting to see the craftsmen working at their trade and the jewelry stores we visited.