5 Hidden Underground Cities in Turkey

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5 Ancient Cities Beneath Turkish Soil

Turkey’s subterranean landscapes hide a labyrinth of ancient caves and tunnels that defy imagination. Stretching beneath the arid plains of Cappadocia and beyond, these underground cities were carved by hand from soft volcanic tuff and expanded over centuries as shelters, trade hubs, and spiritual sanctuaries. From narrow ventilation shafts to rolling-stone doors worthy of an adventure film, each site offers travelers fascinating insights into humanity’s ability to adapt. Below, we explore five of the most intriguing hidden underground cities in Turkey—complete with historical details, practical features, and remarkable facts.

1. Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu is perhaps the most iconic and mysterious underground city in the world. Located in the Nevşehir Province of central Turkey, this astonishing city descends 18 levels deep and could house an entire civilization—including their food supplies, livestock, and religious institutions.

The city was designed with incredible foresight. Narrow tunnels prevented armies from storming in groups, while deep wells and storage rooms allowed prolonged isolation. Scholars believe Derinkuyu was first built during the 8th–7th centuries BCE by the Phrygians, later expanded by Christians fleeing Roman persecution.

Key Features and Historical Highlights

• Advanced Defense Systems: Derinkuyu featured large rolling stone doors that could seal off tunnels, making them impenetrable to enemies. These doors could only be opened from the inside.
• Ventilation Genius: A 55-meter deep ventilation shaft provided fresh air throughout the city. The design was so efficient that it maintained breathable conditions even on the deepest levels.
• Religious and Educational Spaces: The city housed chapels, confession rooms, and classrooms carved into stone, indicating that religious education continued underground even during periods of conflict.
• Shared Networks: Archaeological findings suggest Derinkuyu was connected to other underground settlements such as Kaymaklı via hidden tunnels, forming an expansive subterranean web of escape and support.
• Population Capacity: Historians estimate the city could sustain up to 20,000 people, including livestock, for months at a time—demonstrating an extraordinary level of self-sufficiency.

2. Kaymaklı Underground City

Kaymaklı lies about 10 kilometers from Derinkuyu and is known for its vast horizontal expansion. While Derinkuyu is vertically complex, Kaymaklı spreads out like a subterranean neighborhood. Built into a volcanic hill, its halls are spacious, with wide corridors designed for easier movement.

This city features over 100 tunnels that lead to family units, storage chambers, kitchens, and even wineries. Its people cleverly used clay pipes to channel water and sound between levels. Entire families lived for months underground during war or siege.

Key Features and Historical Highlights

• Trade and Craftsmanship: Kaymaklı housed small-scale copper workshops, where tools and utensils were manufactured even in times of hiding.
• Modular Construction: The architecture allowed sections to be closed off individually in the event of invasion, a key survival feature.
• Family-Oriented Layout: Unlike Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı has more living spaces with larger rooms, indicating that multiple family groups coexisted peacefully.
• Storage Design: Spherical niches carved into the walls were used for storing dry goods, jars of preserved food, and possibly fermented beverages.
• Spiritual Function: A small underground church and gravesite have been uncovered, showing that spiritual life continued despite external threats.

3. Özkonak Underground City

Özkonak, located north of Avanos on the slopes of Mount Idis, was discovered in 1972 by a local farmer. Though smaller than Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, Özkonak is no less fascinating. Its builders implemented an advanced communication system and unique defensive architecture that suggest frequent external threats.

Unlike other underground cities, Özkonak included a number of booby-trap mechanisms, allowing defenders to neutralize enemies before they could reach the main chambers.

Key Features and Historical Highlights

• Communication Tunnels: Narrow holes between rooms functioned like ancient intercoms, enabling communication over multiple levels.
• Boiling Oil Defense: Openings above entrances were used to pour hot oil or water onto enemies who dared enter.
• Echo Chambers: Some corridors amplify sound naturally, likely used to carry warning signals quickly across rooms.
• Smart Water System: The underground water supply was kept separate from the surface to prevent poisoning—demonstrating strategic planning.
• Limited Size, High Efficiency: Though it could house fewer people, Özkonak’s defensive designs were among the most advanced.

4. Mazi Underground City

Mazi (meaning “ancient” in Turkish) is a lesser-known but historically rich underground city located near Ürgüp. Built into a hillside and accessible via a small entrance, Mazi surprises visitors with its intricate rooms and religious significance.

Its close proximity to old trade routes suggests that Mazi may have functioned as a sanctuary for merchants and monks, possibly as a station along the Silk Road.

Key Features and Historical Highlights

• Winemaking Tradition: Carved wine vats and fermentation pits show that wine production occurred underground—a rare feature even among other cities.
• Stables and Feed Rooms: Separate rooms for animals include feeding troughs and water channels, emphasizing the importance of livestock to survival.
• Hidden Exits: Multiple concealed exits allowed inhabitants to escape if discovered, showing the strategic mindset of its builders.
• Unique Air Circulation: The air shafts are curved to resist being spotted from above and to reduce smoke visibility in case of fire or cooking.
• Mixed Cultural Use: Evidence of both Christian and pre-Christian rituals suggests that Mazi was used by different religious groups over centuries.

5. Saratlı (Kırkgöz) Underground City

Saratlı, also known as Kırkgöz (“Forty Eyes”), is a relatively recent discovery in central Turkey. First opened to tourism in 2000, it remains less crowded but offers a fresh and authentic experience of subterranean life.

This underground city is well-preserved and includes features rarely seen elsewhere, including stone furnaces and an intact olive press. The name “Kırkgöz” refers to its many ventilation holes, which resemble watchful eyes on the surface.

Key Features and Historical Highlights

• Rotating Stone Doors: Like other cities, Saratlı used large circular stone doors to seal off rooms, providing both privacy and security.
• Olive Oil Production: One of the only underground cities with evidence of an olive press used for producing oil underground.
• Multi-Level Design: Saratlı features three open levels with living quarters, storage rooms, and community areas still intact.
• Ritual Basins: Shallow stone basins suggest use in religious or purification ceremonies.
• Preserved Silence: Since it’s newer to tourism, Saratlı offers a quieter and more immersive experience than the more popular cities.

Cultural and Religious Dimensions

Many of Turkey’s underground cities served as places of religious refuge, especially for early Christians during Roman and Arab persecution. Crosses carved into walls, small chapels, and baptismal pools are common discoveries in these structures.

In some cities, archaeologists have found signs of pre-Christian usage—pagan symbols, Zoroastrian altars, and even tools suggesting ritualistic animal offerings. This hints at continuous human use for different purposes across millennia, adding rich cultural layers to these cities’ histories.

Ancient Mysteries and Modern Theories

The incredible scale and engineering precision of these underground cities have inspired a variety of alternative theories. Some believe they were not just refuges but part of a global network of ancient civilizations. Others suggest links to the mythical city of Agartha or even extraterrestrial involvement due to the complexity of the structures.

Although mainstream archaeology refutes these ideas, the cities continue to attract enthusiasts, scholars, and spiritual seekers who believe more lies beneath the surface—literally and metaphorically.

Tourism, Preservation, and Accessibility

Today, Turkey has turned many of these underground wonders into protected heritage sites. Walkways, lighting, and guides help visitors navigate the intricate tunnels, though some deeper levels remain closed for safety reasons.

Tourism has brought new life to nearby towns, with eco-lodges, restaurants, and cultural centers built to accommodate curious travelers. However, preservation remains key. Visitors are advised not to touch carved walls or frescoes and to follow all safety guidelines during exploration.

Conclusion

From Derinkuyu’s dizzying depths to Saratlı’s silent stone corridors, Turkey’s hidden underground cities are living monuments to human resilience, creativity, and adaptability. These astonishing cities sheltered generations from invasion, enabled communities to thrive in the harshest of times, and preserved cultural practices that continue to inspire awe today.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, spiritual traveler, or simply intrigued by what lies beneath, exploring these underground cities offers an unforgettable journey into the ancient and the extraordinary. Don’t just look to the skies for wonder—sometimes, the greatest stories are buried below your feet.

Haruka Cigem - Curious Facts Explored.