Overview:

Derinkuyu Underground City is an ancient multi-level underground city in the Cappadocia region of Nevsehir Province, Turkey. The city was constructed in the 8th-7th centuries BC and was used as a refuge and hiding place for the local people when under threat of attack. Derinkuyu was discovered in 1963 when a modern-day room was opened during the construction of a new house. It is over 200 feet deep and is believed to be connected to other underground cities in the Cappadocia region, some as deep as 400 feet. The underground city includes living quarters, places of worship, storage rooms, stables, tombs, and ventilations shafts. It is estimated that it could have housed up to 20,000 people and their livestock and provisions. Archaeologists have also unearthed evidence of wine and oil presses. Because of its immense size, Derinkuyu is considered to be one of the largest and most extensive underground cities in the world. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Turkey
Prominent Features:

1. Multi-Level Layout: Derinkuyu Underground City is a multi-level underground complex of tunnels and chambers, extending deep into the earth, with some areas as deep as eighty meters. 2. Flood Tunnels: Derinkuyu has a complex system of tunnels with escape routes as well as ventilation to prevent flooding. 3. Massive Doors: The heavy stone doors which seal off individual levels can only be opened from the inside and can be sealed from the entry room. 4. Granaries and Millstones: Many of the chambers have been used for storage and living space, with granaries, millstones, communal dinning halls, and stables discovered. 5. Underground Church: One of the most fascinating features of Derinkuyu Underground City is the ancient rock church, which has been in use since the 7th century. 6. Secret Passageways: Several secret passageways have been discovered, as well as a hidden column that indicates an escape passage to an unknown underground location. 7. Engineering Marvel: Derinkuyu is an engineering marvel of its time, comprised of complex systems of ventilation shafts, escape routes, canals, and living spaces. 8. Lasting Legacy: The city is an enduring testament to the architectural and engineering knowledge of its builders, who are believed to have lived there between 700 and 1200 AD. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkey.

History:

The Derinkuyu Underground City in Nevşehir, Turkey, dates back to the Byzantine era and is considered one of the deepest underground cities in the world, at 412 feet below the surface. The city extends across eight underground levels and was used to safeguard its residents from invaders. It was originally built around the 7th century A.D. by the Cappadocian Greeks, who lived throughout the region at that time. The city had ventilation shafts that allowed fresh air to permeate throughout the underground city. The city was hidden until it was discovered in modern times. One story states that around 1963, a local man living in the Nevşehir Province made a discovery while renovating his home. He found a mysterious room with a large stone hidden inside. Through further investigation, he uncovered the true purpose of the room and the massive city hidden below. The underground city is comprised of corridors and living spaces, with doors that were designed to be locked from the inside. There is also a large storage facility and a chapel as part of the city. In addition, there are several small schools, a kitchen, bathrooms, wineries, stables, and more. The Derinkuyu Underground City is estimated to have once housed up to 20,000 people. Its original inhabitants were the Cappadocian Greeks, and the city was used for refuge twice during this period of time: during the Arab-Byzantine Wars in the 7th century and during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century. It is believed that the city was abandoned in the 15th century due to the Ottoman conquest. Today, the site is a popular tourist attraction and is part of the Cappadocia region and Nevşehir Province in Turkey. It is open for visitors daily from 8am to 7pm, and due to its large size, it can easily take a few hours to explore. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkey with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the largest and deepest underground cities in the world. It is estimated to be around 100m (328ft) deep and consists of 8 levels with 14-20 entrances. 2. It was built during the 8th and 7th centuries BC and is still largely a mystery as scientists are still learning about it. 3. Since it was built, the city has been buried and forgotten several times. It was first discovered by a local man during the 1950s when he discovered a hidden door in a room in his home. 4. Derinkuyu was an elaborate and advanced city, providing its residents with ventilation, water systems, air shafts, stables, churches, living quarters, store rooms, and even communal rooms. 5. It could house up to 20,000 people and was connected to other underground cities in the region, including Kaymakli and Ozakan. 6. The tunnels within Derinkuyu are said to lead to the city of Nors and all the way to current day Syria, though this is yet to be proven. 7. It was used as a refuge from invaders, and could be sealed by rolling large stone wheels at the entrance, blocking unwanted visitors from entering. 8. The city has been opened for tourists to visit since the 1960s, and is a popular tourist attraction in the region. One of the historical monuments of Turkey, it tells the story of a bygone era