Cappadocia Underground Cities

Cappadocia's underground cities are among the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world. Carved deep into the region's soft volcanic tuff, these subterranean complexes served as refuges for thousands of people during times of invasion and religious persecution. The cities contained everything needed for extended underground living: ventilation shafts, wells, food storage rooms, stables, churches, and even wineries.

The earliest tunnels are believed to date back to the Hittites around 1200 BCE, though major expansion occurred during the Byzantine era (6th-7th centuries CE) when Christian communities sought shelter from Arab raids. Some historians suggest the Phrygians may have started the initial excavations as early as the 8th century BCE.

Over 200 underground cities have been discovered in Cappadocia, though only a handful are open to the public. The largest and most visited are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, located about 10 kilometers apart and believed to have been connected by a tunnel. Together, these sites offer an unforgettable glimpse into the ingenuity of ancient civilizations.

Derinkuyu is the deepest known underground city in Cappadocia, extending approximately 85 meters (280 feet) below the surface across eight discoverable floors. At full capacity, it could shelter an estimated 20,000 people along with their livestock and food supplies. The name 'Derinkuyu' literally translates to 'deep well,' referencing the city's most vital feature: a ventilation shaft that doubles as a well, reaching all the way to the lowest level.

The city was rediscovered in 1963 when a local resident found a mysterious room behind a wall in his home during renovations. Subsequent excavation revealed one of the most sophisticated underground complexes ever found. About half of the city is now open to visitors.

Key features include a missionary school with separate study rooms on the second floor, spacious communal areas on the third and fourth floors, a large cruciform church on the deepest accessible level, and massive rolling stone doors (weighing up to 500 kg each) that could be closed from the inside to seal off individual floors.

The ventilation system is particularly impressive. The main shaft descends the full depth of the city and connects to roughly 15,000 smaller shafts, ensuring fresh air reached even the deepest chambers. Wells were strategically placed so that invaders could not poison the water supply from the surface.

Kaymakli is the most visited underground city in Cappadocia and the widest in terms of tunnel network, though it is shallower than Derinkuyu with four floors open to visitors. Located in the town of Kaymakli, about 20 kilometers south of Nevsehir, the city is believed to have housed around 3,500 people.

What makes Kaymakli distinctive is its interconnected room layout. Rather than having clearly separated floors like Derinkuyu, Kaymakli features a maze-like network of tunnels connecting living quarters, kitchens, stables, churches, and storage rooms. Visitors can still see blackened ceilings in kitchen areas from centuries of cooking fires and stone blocks carved with grape-pressing channels used for winemaking.

The first floor served primarily as stables, while the second floor contains a church with a nave and two apses. The third floor holds the largest living spaces, including a remarkable storage room with terracotta jars still embedded in the floors. The fourth floor contains additional storage and an impressive copper-smelting workshop.

Kaymakli also features the characteristic rolling stone doors found throughout Cappadocian underground cities. These circular stones, roughly 1.5 meters in diameter, were rolled across corridor openings from the inside and could not be moved from the outside, providing effective defense against intruders.

While Derinkuyu and Kaymakli attract the most visitors, several other underground cities in Cappadocia offer unique experiences with significantly fewer crowds. These lesser-known sites can provide a more intimate and atmospheric visit, often with the feeling of genuine discovery that the major sites once offered.

Both Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are located south of Nevsehir along the Nevsehir-Nigde highway. Kaymakli is about 20 km south of Nevsehir and 25 km from Goreme, while Derinkuyu is a further 10 km south. The towns are well-signposted from the main road.

By car or scooter: The most flexible option. The drive from Goreme to Kaymakli takes about 25 minutes, and Derinkuyu is another 10 minutes further south. Free parking is available at both sites. Many visitors rent a car for the day to combine the underground cities with other southern Cappadocia attractions like Ihlara Valley.

By public minibus (dolmus): Regular minibuses run from Nevsehir otogar (bus station) to both Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. Frequency varies by season -- roughly every 30-60 minutes in summer and hourly in winter. The ride to Kaymakli takes about 20 minutes. From Goreme, you will need to connect through Nevsehir.

By guided tour: The most popular option for visitors without a car. Day tours from Goreme typically include both underground cities plus Ihlara Valley and a pigeon valley viewpoint. Tours cost approximately 800-1,500 TL per person and include transportation, a guide, and sometimes lunch. Book through your hotel or local agencies in Goreme town center.