Recently the underground cities at Kaymakli Underground City and Derinkuyu Underground City near Nevşehir have been opened up for tourists. These also were early Christian centers and must have housed several thousand people in the eighth and ninth centuries. They extend downward in the earth for at least eight floors in a maze of tunnels and rooms and were easily defended by blocking the entrance with large rocks.
The sheer mechanics of organization, supply, and administration of such communities are staggering. A short, interesting description of life in such a place can be found in Xenephon’s Anabasis. In relating the retreat of the Greek army of Ten Thousand from Babylon to the Black Sea he describes a village in which they were entertained briefly in the winter:
“The houses here were underground, with a mouth like that of a well, but spacious below; and while entrances were tunnelled down for the beasts of burden, the human inhabitants descended by a ladder… It was here also that the village chief instructed them about wrapping small bags round the feet of their horses and beasts of burden when they were going through the snow; for without these bags the animals would sink in up to their bellies.”
Derinkuyu and Kaymakli,
Visiting one of the underground cities is highly recommended. We visited Derinkuyu and Kaymakli (on 2 different tours) and both were good. I think the level of enjoyment depends more on the number of visitors during your visit than which city is deeper/wider, etc. We visited Derinkuyu as part of the Green Tour. It was jam-packed with tour groups and…
If you have more than two days in the Cappadocia region, I recommend stopping at Derinkuyu. We didn't use a guide for our entire tour due to the cost, but for a short time we were accompanied by a museum worker with excellent English who gave some great insights into what the different areas were used for. We went with…
This is an amazing place to visit but I agree with the previous TA that you wouldn't do so well if you didn't like small spaces or not mobile. The ladies selling the handmade dolls on the outside of the city all scream out for you to buy their dolls – for 3 turkish lira each they're worth it.
Wow, what an experience. You will need to overcome any fears of claustrophobia, as exploring this underground city involves lots of ducking and squeezing through some pretty tight places, as you travel down as many as five stories down. However it is an experience like none I had before. What a life the people who built and lived in this…
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…
This place redefines the troglodyte experience. We had an excellent guide and a wonderful time. Beautiful
the tour of this underground city was amazing though a little difficult to maneuver inside. The city could accommodate up to 20,000 people and had all the usual amenities such as wine and oil presses, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, and chapels. its a must see site for anyone visiting this part of turkey.
I couldn't believe that this cave can enter 5,000 people. but I have look around there, I thought capacity was enough to enter 5,000 people. I think, this cave was well-made in view of engineering, because of water supply, air supply, trap, etc. Because of narrow path, sometimes it was difficult to pass in the cave….
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…
One of the most interesting site in cappadoccia region – A must see.
The whol idea of living underground and building 8 stories with bedrooms, community kitchens, church and cellars, it is unimaginable engineering this site. It is quite narrow and dark in some places and could be quite uncomfortable however if you can , do visit. There is 10…