Den underjordiska staden i Derinkuyu, Turkiet

Located in Cappadocia, Turkey, the underground city of Derinkuyu is so large that it may once have housed up to 20,000 people, along with their livestock and food supplies. The city, which is 85 metres deep, is today a historical attraction open to tourists.

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The underground city of Derinkuyu

The underground city of Derinkuyu is one of several underground cities in Cappadocia, and is the largest in all of Turkey. The city is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site "Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia". For a long time the town was forgotten, but it was rediscovered in 1963, when a local resident discovered a mysterious room behind a wall in his home...

The underground city of Derinkuyu is located in Cappadocia, in the province of Nevşehir, about 20 miles southeast of Ankara.

A city underground - protected from the enemy

It is not known when the caves were first built, but perhaps as early as the 8th century BC. The stone is easy to work with, making it relatively easy to excavate cavities.

The underground city of Derinkuyu was fully developed during the Byzantine Empire, and was used as a shelter during periods of war. Down in the underground city, the population could survive for long periods of time, sometimes up to a year. In one period the Arabs would attack and in another period the Mongols would ravage.

The town was equipped with housing, stables for the animals, storerooms, cellars, a refectory (monastery dining room), a church and a school. There were also wine and oil presses and equipment for grinding flour. The city was also connected to other underground cities by tunnels several kilometres long.

One of the more fascinating structures is a large ventilation shaft, which provided both water for the villagers above ground and air for those below. The different floors can also be opened and closed by means of large heavy stone doors, made of granite and wedged so that they cannot be disturbed from the outside. The stone doors are equipped with many small holes for air passage and for defence with sharp spears.

Visiting the Underground City in Derinkuyu

We travelled to Derinkuyu by car, from the hotel we stayed at in Göreme. Here we went directly to the sight, where there is also a small church, some cafes and a bunch of souvenir shops.

You buy your ticket at a small ticket office, and then just step down through the entrance. If it's hot outside and you're lightly dressed, you might want to wear a thin jacket or cardigan, as it's a bit cool in the underground passages.

The underground city consists of countless corridors and stairs. You go down, down, down and occasionally you can turn right or left.

Some rooms are spacious, while other hallways are narrower. When we were here, there weren't too many tourists, so there was relatively plenty of space.

During the high season, and when there is no pandemic, there are sometimes guards on site to help direct pedestrians up and down the stairs to make sure everyone gets around smoothly.

We stepped down into an old burial chamber, and the passage down was quite narrow. From here you could go even deeper, through an even narrower passage (where Peter is posing), but that was the limit for us. After the visit to the burial chamber, we turned upwards towards the light again!

Video from the underground city in Derinkuyu

Here you can also watch a video from the underground city of Derinkuyu.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Of course, there is more to see and do in the vicinity of the underground city of Derinkuyu! If you want to try living in a cave environment yourself - albeit above ground and much more comfortable - there are several cave hotels to choose from in the area. We stayed at Kayakapi Premium Caves, which was an absolutely beautiful and cosy hotel.

Cappadocia is also known for its hot air balloon rides in a spectacular and fabulous setting. In addition, you can visit outdoor museums and cave monastery, see manufacture of carpets and pottery, go on horseback rides, go wine tasting and sample traditional Turkish food.

Have you visited the underground city of Derinkuyu?

Have you visited the underground city of Derinkuyu? Or have you visited any other underground city? Please tell us!

Facts about the underground city of Derinkuyu

Country: Turkey
Area: Cappadocia
Provins: Nevşehir
City: Derinkuyu
Name: Derinkuyu Yeraltı Şehri (Turkish) and The Derinkuyu underground city (English).
Depth: Approximately 85 metres
Rediscovery: 1963
Open to tourists: 1969
More underground cities: More than 200 underground cities have been found in the area, including Kaymaklı Underground City.

6 Comments

Add yours →

Christian says:

Cool place! But you prefer to live with a little view if you can choose!

21 October 2021 - 17:23

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really cool! And yes, just for accommodation it is nicer with a view, this was more for hiding once upon a time. The cave hotels we have seen have nice views 🙂.
  
  21 October 2021 - 19:53
  
BP says:

Cappadocia is not only fantastically exciting above ground but below as well. WOW I just say. What a press trip you have been on:-)

21 October 2021 - 19:02

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Can only agree! Cappadocia was a fantastic acquaintance! What a place!
  
  21 October 2021 - 19:53
  
Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Fascinating, but unfortunately my cellular fear takes over.
I would like to see this city, but I know that I would not be comfortable there.
So thank you for your pictures!
Have a nice weekend!

23 October 2021 - 12:04

Lena - good for the soul says:

How fascinating! What a project to build so large underground and make it work. Impressive! I want to go there too!

Hug Lena

31 March 2022 - 5:51

The underground city of Derinkuyu, Turkey

The underground city of Derinkuyu

A city underground - protected from the enemy

Visiting the Underground City in Derinkuyu

Video from the underground city in Derinkuyu

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Have you visited the underground city of Derinkuyu?

Facts about the underground city of Derinkuyu

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6 Comments

Christian says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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