Derinkuyu is an ancient underground city located 29 kilometres south of Nevşehir. Derinkuyu is the largest underground structure in Cappadocia and the the largest underground city in Turkey. The name of the city translates from Turkish as "deep well". Derinkuyu is connected by tunnels to other underground cities in Cappadocia, including Kaymaklı.
Archaeologists claim that the origin of this underground city dates back to the Hittites (1900-1200 BC). This is also evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. A little later the labyrinths were extended by other peoples. The underground schools, churches and even wine cellars clearly indicate that these dungeons were inhabited by Christian communities.
The city was discovered in 1963, partially explored and already in 1965 it was opened to the public. The underground city is located on eight levels and covers an area of 1,500 square metres. Presumably, it was built in VI-X centuries. Now only 10% of the territory is open for free access.
The underground galleries are quite well-lit and there is a ventilation system, built by the builders of these "caves". is the fact that only on the first tier ventilation shafts were found, more than fifteen thousand of them - an unprecedentedly complex system for such an early period. They were disguised from the outside as wells, but in fact, these passages could be used to get inside the city. They are quite deep, and the lower parts of them reach the groundwater, which the locals used for their water supply.
The size of this settlement is still not definitively known, as many of the tunnels are too narrow, some of which even a child could barely fit through (archaeologists believe that so far only a fourth of the total volume of the rooms has been excavated).
The main halls are simply amazing in their enormous size, the floors go deep into the depths of 50-55 metres, and one track reaches a depth of 9 kilometres. Before visiting the city you should take some warm clothes with you, as the temperature inside the city does not rise above +15 degrees Celsius.
In the underground city you can see a large number of huge stone discs. They were used as doors and closed off from outsiders access to certain rooms or entire floors. They were so constructed that they could only be opened from the inside.
There were a variety of workshops everywhere, in which where everything necessary for long-term habitation was produced. In the city you can find a bakery with stones used for grinding flour, a winery, several kitchens, pottery workshops, oil presses and much more. There are also in the dungeons several barns, stables, warehouses and wine cellars. If you go up the the stairs, between the third and fourth floors, you'll find a small cross-shaped cross-shaped church.
The main difference between Derinkuyu and other underground cities is the large hall, located on the first floor, with beautiful vaulted ceilings, which was used as a religious school. Not far from it are several other rooms of smaller size, used for the same purpose.
You should not forgo the services of a guide when visiting Derinkuyu, even if you are more into sightseeing on your own. The city was built so that it can only be navigated by the people who live there, so without someone who knows the roads and paths, you can easily get lost. It's also worth bearing in mind that the further down you go downhill, the lower the ceilings get, not exceeding in some areas even 160 centimetres and the tunnels get narrower. Once you get down low enough, some tourists experience a slight panic.
Despite all the beauty of the underground city, on the surface there is also much to see on the surface. A hundred metres to the south of the city lies a a beautiful, if somewhat gloomy, Greek Orthodox monastery. It is now abandoned, although it started out as a Christian church. It can be visited if you can find a watchman to open it.
There are wells and chapels in the town. There is a low tunnel leading down to the bottom on either side of which are empty chambers.
You can get to Derinkuyu from Nevşehir and Aksaray by bus. Alternatively, you can You can also book a day tour in Gereme or Avanos.
