The Derinkuyu Underground City, nestled among the fascinating environment of Cappadocia, exemplifies ancient civilizations’ inventiveness and resourcefulness. Located in the Derinkuyu district, 30 kilometers south of Nevşehir, this subterranean city is a complex network of tunnels and chambers dug deep beneath the region’s volcanic rock formations. In 1963, a local villager who was attempting to rebuild his home stumbled upon the metropolis. Following its discovery, the site was opened to the public in 1965, providing a unique view into history. Although the exact date of its foundation is unknown, the city’s historical strata demonstrate its use by numerous civilizations, including the Proto-Hittites, Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines.

Derinkuyu Underground City has a millennia-long history, with evidence indicating use during the Proto-Hittite and Hittite periods. However, it was throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods that the city’s architecture and services changed to accommodate the evolving requirements of its population. One of the most notable findings in the city is a marble eagle statue, which clearly demonstrates Roman influence in the area. Meanwhile, the presence of a missionary school and church demonstrates the significant Byzantine influence, emphasizing the city’s significance as a religious and social hub.

The underground city was also an important shelter for early Christians fleeing Roman persecution in the second century. As they journeyed through Antakya and Kayseri, they sought refuge in the region’s network of underground settlements. These underground sanctuaries were created to support long-term living, including places of prayer, food storage, wine cellars, and even schools. In many ways, Derinkuyu and its regional counterparts were miniature self-sustaining cultures that provided a safe refuge from external threats.

Derinkuyu Underground City is a stunning example of ancient engineering. The city is made up of several layers, each precisely cut into the soft volcanic rock to form a maze of dwelling rooms, common areas, and storage facilities. The upper floors were largely for household use, while the lower levels were kept for more specialized functions such as churches, wine cellars, and barns. The complex also included a missionary school on the second floor, which was notable for its barrel-vaulted ceiling, a unique architectural feature in underground cities.

One of Derinkuyu’s most notable features is its advanced ventilation system, which includes a 55-meter-deep ventilation shaft. This shaft, which also acted as a water well, provided a continuous supply of fresh air throughout the city, even at its deepest levels. The wells were cleverly engineered to avoid pollution during times of peril. Some wells had their openings blocked to protect the city’s water supply from future incursions, ensuring that the water remained safe and accessible.

Derinkuyu served as both a haven from religious persecution and a secure stronghold during wartime. The city’s narrow, winding passageways and strategically placed stone wheels provided an extra line of defense. These massive stone disks could be rolled into place to restrict entrance to specific portions of the city, making it difficult for any invading army to maneuver through the narrow passageways. This innovative architecture allowed the residents to efficiently defend themselves, even during extended sieges.

The tunnels themselves were tiny and frequently led to concealed chambers, making it difficult for invaders to locate residents. This labyrinthine layout, paired with the stone wheels, allowed Derinkuyu’s people to live for long periods of time without fear of being attacked. The city was effectively a self-contained environment, with everything required for daily existence – from food and water to shelter and education – available within its confines.

While only a portion of the Derinkuyu Underground City has been discovered, the prospect of additional discovery remains intriguing. Only eight of the city’s floors are currently accessible to visitors, and it is projected that clearing the remaining floors would increase the city’s total depth from 50 meters to an astonishing 85 meters. With an estimated 12 to 13 floors, the actual extent of Derinkuyu’s underground network remains unknown, awaiting future excavation and discovery.

The eight public floors offer an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore the labyrinthine chambers and tunnels that were once dwellings, places of worship, and social gathering spaces. However, despite being a famous tourist destination, only a small portion of the underground city – approximately 10% – is currently accessible. The city’s enormous and intricate shape demonstrates its creators’ amazing tenacity and inventiveness.

History of Derinkuyu Underground City

The Derinkuyu Underground City, an astonishing and intriguing historical landmark, possesses a lengthy and intricate history that extends from its Phrygian roots to its utilization during the Ottoman Empire and thereafter. Excavated from the pliable volcanic stone of the Cappadocia region, the city’s architecture and later developments exemplify the resourcefulness and tenacity of its residents, who sought sanctuary from invasions, natural calamities, and political turmoil.

Phrygian Origins: 8th-7th Century BC

The initial construction phase at Derinkuyu is thought to originate from the Phrygians, an ancient Anatolian civilization that occupied the area in the 8th and 7th century BC. The pliable volcanic tuff in the region rendered it an optimal medium for sculpting elaborate subterranean structures, prompting the Phrygians to initiate the early formations of what would evolve into the extensive underground city of Cappadocia. Although evidence of their early communities is few, it is probable that these initial caves were uncomplicated in structure, mainly functioning as storage areas or refuges from the region’s severe climate.

With the decline of the Phrygian civilization, the area experienced considerable cultural and linguistic transformations. The Greek language progressively replaced the Phrygian language during the Roman era, introducing novel architectural styles and theological influences that would impact the subterranean complexes.

Roman and Byzantine Expansion: 4th-12th Century AD

Throughout the Roman and Byzantine eras, the caves at Derinkuyu experienced significant extension, evolving into a complete subterranean metropolis. During Roman governance, the residents commenced the excavation of deeper and more intricate chambers, thereby augmenting the system into multi-tiered constructions with interlinked tunnels. This era witnessed the incorporation of chapels and Greek inscriptions into the walls, illustrating the cultural and religious influences of the period.

The city had its zenith during the Byzantine period, particularly from the 7th to the 12th century, when the area was often embroiled in the Arab–Byzantine conflicts. The Byzantine Empire, confronted with persistent assaults from Arab forces, employed underground towns as fortifications, offering refuge from attacks and invasions. Derinkuyu, characterized by its intricate corridors and guarded chambers, served as a shelter for Byzantine Christians seeking protection within its confines.

The subterranean city of Derinkuyu was not a standalone entity; it was linked to the adjacent underground city of Kaymakli via a comprehensive system of tunnels, extending roughly 8-9 kilometers (5.0-5.6 miles). The strategic connection between the two cities enabled residents to swiftly seek refuge during crises, resulting in an extensive subterranean network that would function as a sanctuary for generations.

The Mongol Invasions and Christian Refuge: 14th Century

During the 14th century, as the Mongols advanced through the area under Timur’s command, the residents of Derinkuyu sought sanctuary in their subterranean shelter once more. The Mongol conquests, characterized by savage raids and invasions, compelled numerous Christian inhabitants to seek refuge in the subterranean towns. These cities, having demonstrated their value in previous conflicts, became essential refuges for the local populace during this turbulent era.

The utilization of underground cities as defensive sanctuaries persisted beyond the Mongol invasions. During the 15th century, when the region came under Ottoman dominion, the subterranean constructions persisted in providing refuge for Christian communities, which encountered escalating pressure and persecution from the Muslim Ottoman rulers. During this time, the subterranean settlements served as sanctuaries for the Cappadocian Greeks, providing them a means of evasion from the strains and adversities of Ottoman governance.

Ottoman and Post-Ottoman Period: 16th-20th Century

Following the formation of the Ottoman Empire, the subterranean cities of Cappadocia continued to serve as significant sanctuaries. During the Ottoman era, these underground sanctuaries offered refuge to the local Greek and Armenian communities, who frequently encountered persecution or discrimination under the imperial authority. The capacity to withdraw into the subterranean recesses provided a measure of security from political and religious turmoil.

Throughout the 20th century, the utilization of these subterranean shelters persisted, especially amid significant political upheaval. In 1909, as reports of atrocities in Adana emerged, some local Cappadocian Greeks sought refuge in the subterranean chambers of Derinkuyu. Cambridge linguist Richard MacGillivray Dawkins, who researched the subject from 1909 to 1911, recorded that a substantial segment of the Axo population sought sanctuary in the tunnels, where they slept for several nights, fearful of emerging above ground.

In 1923, during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, the Christian residents of the Cappadocia region were compelled to relocate to Greece. This enormous displacement signified the conclusion of the region’s function as a sanctuary for these communities, resulting in the abandonment of the subterranean cities, including Derinkuyu. For almost forty years, these historic chambers remained neglected, hidden beneath the ground.

Rediscovery and Modern Day: 1963-Present

Derinkuyu was rediscovered in 1963 when a local inhabitant, during home renovations, uncovered a concealed chamber behind a wall. His inquisitiveness prompted additional excavation, uncovering the entrance to the subterranean tube network. This unforeseen finding ignited renewed interest in the location, and in 1969, the Derinkuyu Underground City was inaugurated for public access. Since then, the site has emerged as one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the region, providing insight into the creativity and resilience of its former inhabitants.

As of 2016, about fifty percent of the subterranean city is open to visitors, however a significant portion remains restricted to preserve its fragile architecture. The tunnels, chambers, and passageways of Derinkuyu exemplify the resourcefulness and ingenuity of its architects, providing a distinctive insight into the region’s intricate history and the significance of these subterranean cities for the local populace’s survival during periods of conflict.

Today, Derinkuyu remains a captivating historical marvel and a heartbreaking reminder of the struggles encountered by the inhabitants of Cappadocia over the years.

Features of Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu, an underground city exemplifying ancient engineering, offers an intriguing insight into the creativity of the civilizations that once occupied the Cappadocia region. Hidden beneath the earth’s surface, this subterranean wonder comprises multiple interconnected chambers and corridors, each designated for a certain use. Derinkuyu is notably characterized by its capacity to be completely sealed from within using substantial rolling stone doors, a security precaution intended to safeguard its residents during perilous situations. Each level of the city could be autonomously sealed, offering a crucial degree of fortification and security for individuals seeking sanctuary within its confines.

The Room with the Barrel-Vaulted Ceiling, Possibly a School

One of the most remarkable aspects of Derinkuyu is the room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling situated on the second floor. This facility, characterized by its unique construction, is thought to have functioned as a religious school and a learning center for the city’s inhabitants. The barrel vaulting technique employs continuous arches to create a self-supporting structure, showcasing the engineering prowess of its designers while imparting a feeling of grandeur to the space. Contiguous to this area, a collection of smaller chambers with more intimate dimensions presumably functioned as studies, where persons may partake in academic endeavors or spiritual reflection. This region of Derinkuyu provides a unique insight into the intellectual and spiritual life of its inhabitants, highlighting the significance of education and religious teaching in the community’s daily life.

A City Designed for 20,000 People

Derinkuyu’s subterranean metropolis was engineered to house up to 20,000 individuals, exemplifying the magnitude and intricacy of the edifice. The extensive network of tunnels and chambers had several critical facilities that guaranteed the survival and comfort of its residents, even during sieges or assaults. Alongside residential areas, the city was furnished with facilities often seen in other subterranean structures around the Cappadocia region. These comprised wine and oil presses, livestock stables, food storage cellars, and refectories for communal dining. The existence of chapels within the complex emphasizes the spiritual life of the inhabitants of Derinkuyu, providing solace and opportunity for devotion amid the subterranean setting.

The design of Derinkuyu demonstrates an advanced comprehension of communal and individual need. The diverse floors and chambers were carefully crafted to offer shelter, nutrition, and a sense of community and continuity. The city’s facilities indicate that it was not only a sanctuary from exterior dangers but also a dynamic, self-sufficient community capable of flourishing underground.

Vertical Staircases and the Church on the Fifth Level

A notable characteristic of Derinkuyu is the system of vertical staircases connecting the many tiers of the subterranean city. The staircases, commencing between the third and fourth levels, provide access to lower regions, including a church situated on the fifth and lowest level of the complex. This subterranean chapel functions as a site of devotion and a testament to the city’s fortitude. The presence of religious life as a fundamental aspect of this underground community underscores the spiritual and cultural characteristics of its inhabitants. Notwithstanding the seclusion and difficulties associated with subterranean living, the inhabitants of Derinkuyu preserved their faith, finding comfort and camaraderie in the underground church.

The church on the fifth floor is not just a site of religious worship but also an architectural marvel. Fashioned from the region’s pliable volcanic stone, the church’s architecture embodies the community’s utilitarian need and their religious commitment. The existence of a substantial space in the center of Derinkuyu underscores the intricacy and profundity of the city’s design and architecture.

A Deep Ventilation Well in the City

One of the most remarkable aspects of Derinkuyu is its deep ventilation well, a 55-meter (180-foot) shaft that fulfilled various functions. This ventilation system was essential for sustaining air circulation in the subterranean city and also served as a well, supplying water to the residents. During periods when access to the external environment was unattainable owing to sieges or other dangers, the well provided the inhabitants of Derinkuyu with a reliable water supply. The well serves a dual purpose as a water source and a ventilation system, demonstrating the practical brilliance of the city’s builders who foresaw the intricate requirements of their underground community.

This ventilation shaft illustrates the outstanding engineering capabilities of the architects of Derinkuyu. The design facilitated the circulation of fresh air throughout the extensive system of tunnels and chambers, averting stagnation and ensuring air quality remained good. The shaft’s profound, vertical shape guaranteed that both water and air could access the city’s lowest levels, so augmenting its potential for sustained settlement.