Underground Cities

Yer Altı Şehirleri

Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are remarkable multi-level underground settlements carved from rock, dating back to the Hittite period and expanded by early Christians fleeing persecution. These ancient cities showcase ingenious engineering with ventilation shafts, storage rooms, and sleeping quarters.

Things to do

• Explore Derinkuyu Underground City — Descend through eight levels of carved chambers, storage rooms, and living quarters while learning about Hittite and early Christian history.
• Navigate Kaymaklı Underground City — Traverse the interconnected tunnels and rooms of this parallel underground settlement, featuring kitchens, stables, and religious spaces.
• Visit the Underground Churches — Observe carved cruciform chapels and prayer alcoves where early Christians held services, some featuring frescoes and religious inscriptions.
• Study Ventilation Shaft Engineering — Examine the sophisticated vertical shafts that provided fresh air and light throughout the multi-level complexes, a remarkable feat of ancient engineering.
• Examine Storage and Wine Cellars — Inspect the large cylindrical chambers designed for grain, oil, and wine storage, with carved channels for liquid management.
• Photograph Carved Stone Doors — Document the distinctive wheel-shaped stone doors that could be rolled to seal off sections of the underground city for defense or privacy.

Food to try

• Testi Kebab — Meat stew cooked inside a sealed clay pot that is traditionally broken open at the table, a specialty of Cappadocia's underground city region.
• Manti — Small hand-folded dumplings filled with spiced meat or potato, topped with yogurt and tomato sauce, a traditional Anatolian comfort food.
• Mushroom Dishes — Local preparations featuring wild mushrooms foraged from Cappadocia's unique landscape, often sautéed with garlic and herbs.
• Pottery-Roasted Lamb — Lamb cooked in traditional clay vessels in underground ovens, imparting a distinctive earthy flavor and tender texture.
• Cappadocia Wine Tasting — Sample local wines from the region's volcanic soil vineyards, many served in underground wine cellars near the ancient cities.

Local customs & good to know

• Hire Licensed Local Guides — Underground passages are extensive and sometimes confusing; official guides provide historical context and ensure visitor safety through the maze-like tunnels.
• Respect Sacred Spaces — Many chambers were used for Christian worship; visitors should observe respectful behavior in carved churches and prayer areas.
• Allow Extra Time for Acclimatization — Underground temperatures remain cool year-round; dress in layers and allow your eyes to adjust to lower light levels before descending deeper levels.
• Learn the Persecution Context — Understanding why early Christians sought refuge underground enriches appreciation for the cities' ingenuity and the region's religious heritage.