Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu Underground City is the largest excavated underground city in Cappadocia and one of the most impressive subterranean complexes in the world. Dating back to the 8th-7th centuries BCE, this remarkable engineering feat extends approximately 60 meters deep and could accommodate up to 20,000 people along with their livestock and food stores. The city was carved into the soft volcanic rock and consists of 18 levels, though only eight are currently open to the public.

The underground city served as a refuge for early Christians and other communities during times of Arab raids and persecution. The complex includes residential areas, stables, chapels, storage rooms, refectories, and even a winery. The ingenious ventilation system consists of more than 15,000 shafts that provided fresh air to the deepest levels. Derinkuyu also features sophisticated security measures, including narrow tunnels that could be sealed with large stone doors and communication systems between levels. The city is connected to other underground cities in the region through an extensive network of tunnels.