Turkey's remarkable Derinkuyu underground city lies deep beneath the surface. The city stretches to an enormous depth of approximately 85 meters (280 ft). This massive structure could shelter up to 20,000 people along with their livestock and supplies. The amazing underground feature has 18 levels of tunnel and is Turkey's largest excavated underground city.
Derinkuyu's cave-like rooms stretch for hundreds of miles, excavated out inside Cappadocia's unique terrain. The underground city has been owned several times throughout history. Visitors can now see eight levels of passageways, tunnels, and rooms since the city's partial opening in 1969. You'll find everything you need to know to plan your visit to this ancient wonder.
A simple home renovation project led to one of history's most remarkable finds. A Turkish homeowner's sledgehammer struck more than a wall in 1963. He found a mysterious tunnel stretching into darkness. Some say the story unfolded differently. The homeowner observed his chickens vanishing down a small crevice when his home was being renovated. His curiosity got the better of him. Behind his basement wall lay a hidden passageway that would change everything.
Archeological teams hurried to the place. They found an incredible system of tunnels, halls, and chambers. The vast underground complex went 18 levels deep, 280 feet (76 meters) below ground. This underground wonder could hold 20,000 people at once. The teams found a complete underground civilization. The city had it all - food storage facilities, wine cellars, oil presses to spiritual rooms, and even schools.
The public got their first chance to visit in 1969. Tourists could access about half of Derinkuyu Underground City. Today, tourists can view eight of the original 18 levels. The importance of the location grew when UNESCO added the site to its list of World Heritage sites in 1985.
The city's massive size and historical importance make its long disappearance even more amazing. The last inhabitants, Cappadocian Greeks, left in 1923. The city's memory faded into history. The architects designed it with protection as a priority. They used rolling stones in doors to seal them shut from the inside, ready to repel intruders.
The ancient city has more than 600 separate entrances scattered all over houses in the area. The builders created such an effective hiding place that it stayed secret for 40 years after people left. This shows both the constructors' proficiency and how well their covering strategy worked.
Nature gave Cappadocia the perfect foundation for underground construction. Volcanic eruptions from ancient times left soft volcanic tuff that made a perfect building medium. The rock was easy to shape but strong enough to support structures. This pyroclastic rock had two qualities necessary for Derinkuyu: workers could effortlessly carve through it and supported itself remarkably well.
The soil's lack of water prevented erosion that would have made such large underground construction impossible anywhere else. The tuffs did more than provide structural support. The tuffs acted as natural insulators—a highly significant feature that kept the underground city warm year-round. The natural insulation rendered the chambers perfect for long-term food storage.
Derinkuyu's builders create this marvel of engineering with simple tools. Archeological research reveals that workers needed only simple tools like pickaxes and spades to excavate the soft tuff rock. Digging took more patience than advanced methods. Workers carved out chambers level by level with great care.
Derinkuyu's architectural ingenuity is evident in its well-designed structure. The city extended downwards through 8-10 floors, each with designated functions. The architects developed a sophisticated ventilation system. Dozens of large shafts extended throughout several levels, and narrow tubes supplied fresh air to every part of the settlement.
A clever 55-meter shaft served both as ventilation and a well. It supplied water to people living above ground and those hiding below. Large rolling stone doors could seal the city from inside for protection. Each level could be divided when needed.
Derinkuyu survived centuries despite its soft tuff rock construction. The builders knew enough about rock mechanics to create a stable system without support. This engineering achievement is one of history's greatest examples of rock structures that lasted.
Intelligent chamber placement distributed stress. This prevented common underground problems like roof falls or shaky pillars that would normally plague large underground systems. The city is proof that ancient engineers had a solid understanding of structural principles, even without modern equipment.
Derinkuyu residents needed exceptional adaptations to live underground. The underground city was a complete society. Its smartly designed sections allowed the residents to lead a regular life despite their strange residence.
The residents lived with the glow of torches in a thriving colony that housed business hubs, schools, and meeting areas. The inhabitants disposed of refuse through closed-up clay pots and chose sites to dispose of bodies with the use of chemicals. This quickened the process of decomposition and prevented foul odors. The consistent temperature below ground kept living conditions warm and comfortable, exempt from Cappadocia's harsh surface environment.
Derinkuyu's design emphasized food independence. Large cellars housed perishables cool within the natural climate. Underground wineries were near kitchens and food storage rooms. Such special rooms had two main sections: a grape-crushing area linked by a channel to a must-collecting area. Oil presses also provided valuable sources for cooking and illumination.
Religious life thrived underground. A grand cruciform church stands between the third and fourth levels. A Byzantine missionary school with barrel-vaulted ceilings occupies the second floor and has study rooms nearby. Researchers found a Star of David carved near one chamber's ceiling, suggesting different spiritual traditions existed here.
The city's design made protection a priority. Large stone doors at each tunnel entrance worked only from inside, which sealed off sections during threats. The main tunnel could split during attacks to improve defense. Many hidden passages and secret tunnels served as escape routes during sieges. A remarkable tunnel extends 9 kilometers and connects to another underground city called Kaymakli.
This ancient marvel needs some preparation before you visit. Today, you can explore eight levels of the original eighteen, as you walk through an intricate network of tunnels that once housed thousands.
This landmark welcomes you with narrow corridors and rooms that used to be wine cellars and areas for worship. The cool interior temperature is a relief from summer heat. Wear comfortable shoes as the floors may be uneven in certain areas. Some areas have minimal lighting, which creates a unique ambiance as you go through shared living rooms, kitchens, and worships.
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) are the best months to visit as the weather is mild and tourist numbers are lower. Tours in the early morning or mid-day miss tourist crowds. Fewer tourists come during winter, and the temperature down below remains cold irrespective of the season.
People with claustrophobia or mobility issues might struggle with the narrow passages and low ceilings. Some tunnels need you to crouch. In spite of that, many visitors overcome their initial fears thanks to the site's historical significance.
Kaymakli Underground City sits about 9 kilometers away, linked to Derinkuyu by an ancient tunnel. Kaymakli's spaces are wider than Derinkuyu's, making them easier to explore. You can also visit Tatlarin, which opened to tourists in 1991 after being founded in 1975. A shepherd found Mazi, which became available to visit in 1995. Ozluce lies 6 kilometers west of Kaymakli.
Absolutely — it’s one of Cappadocia’s most fascinating historical sites, offering a glimpse into an entire underground world carved centuries ago.
They built and lived in the underground city to hide from invasions, extreme weather, and other dangers throughout history.
Visitors are often amazed by its vast network of tunnels, rooms, and ventilation shafts, realizing how advanced the engineering was for its time.
You’ll need around 1 to 2 hours to explore Derinkuyu Underground City, depending on how thoroughly you want to see its tunnels and chambers.