The Underground City of Cappadocia
Dear friends around the world,
I have always been fascinated by historical architecture, from the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the mysterious Moais of Easter Island. Up till today, it is still a wonder how these ancient civilizations were able to construct such massive monuments when modern technology and even simple machinery did not exist. The most incredible thing is that these structures still remain standing even after so many years.
This article that I am sharing with you is about the intriguing underground cities of Cappadocia in Turkey. I hope you enjoy reading it and, along the way, learn a little more about the ancient cultures of the world.
Tsem Rinpoche
Derinkuyu & The Underground Cities of Cappadocia
May 9, 2014
In 1963, a man in the Nevşehir Province of Turkey knocked down a wall of his home. Behind it, he discovered a mysterious room. The man continued digging and soon discovered an intricate tunnel system with additional cave-like rooms. What he had discovered was the ancient Derinkuyu underground city, part of the Cappadocia region in central Anatolia, Turkey.
The elaborate subterranean network included discrete entrances, ventilation shafts, wells, and connecting passageways. It was one of dozens of underground cities carved from the rock in Cappadocia thousands of years ago. Hidden for centuries, Derinkuyu‘s underground city is the deepest.
Rose Valley of Cappadocia (courtesy Bjørn Christian Tørrissen)
History
Cappadocia, Turkey
The Cappadocia region of Anatolia is rich in volcanic history and sits on a plateau around 3,300 feet (1,000m) tall.
The area was buried in ash millions of years ago creating the lava domes and rough pyramids seen today. Erosion of the sedimentary rock left pocked spires and stone minarets.
Volcanic ash deposits consist of a softer rock – something the Hittites of Cappadocia discovered thousands of years ago when they began carving out rooms from the rock. It began with storage and underground food lockers; the subterranean voids maintained a constant temperature, protecting the contents from exposure to harsher surface weather extremes.
Cappadocia, Turkey
One of many hidden entrances to Derinkuyu
The underground tunneling would also serve a bigger purpose: Protect the Hittites from attack. The exact dates are unknown, but estimates range the tunnels first appeared between the 15th century and 12th century BCE. The Hittites were believed to have used the tunnels to hide from Phrygian raids.
Those who subscribe to this theory point to the historic account of the Phrygian destruction of Hittite city Hattusa, along with the identification of a small number of Hittite-related artifacts found in the tunnels.
An alternative suggestion has the Phrygians first building the tunnels later, between the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. They explain the discovered Hittite artifacts as being remnants from the spoils of war.
This theory is reinforced by reputation: Phrygian architects are considered by archaeologists to be among the finest of the Iron Age, and known to have engaged in complex construction projects.
Because the Phrygians are known to have possessed the necessary skills and inhabited the region for a long time, they are often credited with first creating the underground city at Derinkuyu.
[Side Bar: Phrygia was known for stories of its heroic kings in mythology, one of the more well-known being the tale of King Midas.]
Less popular is the theory the underground city was the work of the Persians.
Nevşehir Province of Turkey
Although no direct reference is made to Derinkuyu, the second chapter of the Vendidad (part of the Zoroastrian Avesta) includes a story of “the great and mythical Persian king Yima” who “created palaces underground to house flocks, herds, and men.”
But with no other evidence, this theory has struggled to gain traction among the cognoscenti.
The oldest written reference to the underground cities of Cappadocia was by Xenophon in Anabasis. He mentions the Anatolian people living underground in excavated homes large enough for entire families, their food, and animals.
Because the city was carved from naturally-formed rock, traditional archaeological methods of dating the underground city would fail to discern the origins.
An illustration depicting the underground cities of Cappadocia
Derinkuyu
Archaeologists believe the underground cities of Cappadocia could number in the hundreds. To date, just six have been excavated.
The underground city at Derinkuyu is neither the largest nor oldest, but it fascinates as it is the deepest of the underground cities and was only recently discovered in 1963. (The largest, Kaymakli, has been inhabited continuously since first constructed).
While there is no consensus for who is responsible for building Derinkuyu, many groups have occupied the underground city over the centuries. It is believed Derinkuyu was later expanded during the Byzantine era (330-1461 CE).
During this time the underground city was known as Malakopea (Greek: Μαλακοπέα). Early Christians used the tunnels to escape persecution during raids from the Muslim Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties.
Tourist map of Derinkuyu Underground City (en Español)
Over time the need for underground shelter in Cappadocia ebbed and flowed with different ruling empires. In peacetime tunneling efforts were reduced as resources were diverted back toward the surface. During these times the subterranean city served as cold storage facilities and underground barns.
During the Roman persecutions of the 2nd and 3rd centuries (and the Arab raids between the 8th and 10th centuries) CE, use of the underground cities increased and tunnels were expanded.
Underground City Features
Derinkuyu underground tunnels
Derinkuyu is the deepest of the discovered underground cities with eight floors – reaching depths of 280 feet (85m) – currently open to the public. Excavation is incomplete but archaeologists estimate Derinkuyu could contain up to 18 subterranean levels.
Miles of tunnels are blackened from centuries of burning torches. They were strategically carved narrow to force would-be invaders to crawl single-file. Eventually the tunnels reach hundreds of caves large enough to shelter tens of thousands of people.
The build-out of Derinkuyu accommodated for churches, food stores, livestock stalls, wine cellars, and schools. Temporary graveyards were constructed to hold the dead; an ironic twist, bodies were stored underground until it was safe to return them to the surface. Over one hundred unique entrances to Derinkuyu are hidden behind bushes, walls, and courtyards of surface dwellings. Access points were blocked by large circular stone doors, up to 5 feet (1.5m) in diameter and weighing up to 1,100 lbs (500 kilos).
The stone doors (pictured below) protected the underground city from surface threats, and were installed so each level could be sealed individually. The tunneling architects included thousands of ventilation shafts varying in size up to 100 feet deep (30m).
Circular stones would seal access to the passageways (courtesy thingshappendownhere)
An underground river filled wells while a rudimentary irrigation system transported drinking water.
Derinkuyu was more than just residences, storage, and tunnels. When residents fled underground, business continued as usual. Commercial spaces included communal meeting areas, dining rooms, grocers, religious places for worship – even shopping. Arsenals stored weapon caches while hidden escape routes offered residents a last-chance for a getaway.
Unique to Derinkuyu
On the second floor a barrel-vaulted ceiling tops a spacious room believed to have been a religious school. Rooms to the left provided individual studies.
A staircase between the third and fourth levels takes visitors to a cruciform church measuring approximately 65 x 30 ft (20m x 9m) in size.
Shaft which served as primary well at Derinkuyu
A large 180-ft (55m) shaft (pictured above) was likely used as the primary well – both for residents underground and on the surface. To prevent any surface aggressor attempt to poison drinking water, control of the water supply originated from the lower floors and moved upward, with lower floors able to cut-off supply to upper levels.
On the third level a 3 mile-long (5 km) tunnel connected Derinkuyu to nearby underground city Kaymakli – although it is no longer functioning as parts of this tunnel have collapsed.
Another hidden entrance to the underground city of Derinkuyu
Tourism & Derinkuyu Today
The name Derinkuyu roughly translates to “deep well” – apropos given the surface city lacked running water until only recently.
A declining water table created fears of water shortages in the mid-20th century; it wasn’t until 1965 that the surface city finally received the infrastructure for running water.
Derinkuyu was opened to visitors in 1969, but only about 10% of the underground city is accessible to tourists today. The underground city is open to visitors daily during the summer from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Winter hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. 2014 entrance fees are 15 Turkish Lira (or about $7/£4/€5).
A guided tour is more expensive, but recommended as there is little information within the city itself to indicate what one is observing. Independent local guides will sometimes loiter near the entrance waiting to be hired. The Green Tour (or South Cappadocia Tour) is a highly-rated and popular option. Alternatively, private 2-hour tours are also available.
Underground tunnel in Derinkuyu, Turkey.
Source: http://sometimes-interesting.com/2014/05/09/derinkuyu-the-underground-cities-of-cappadocia/
For more interesting information:
- Kizil Grottoes – The Thousand-Buddha Caves
- Caves of the Thousand Buddhas: The Mogao Caves
- Yungang Grottoes
- Tianshan Mountain Landscape
- Vajravarahi Caves in China
- Massive 2,600 year old Buddhist Monastery
- Puja at Naropa’s Cave, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Kumarajiva – the Great Translator from Kucha
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I can’t even figure out how ancient people did a lot of the brilliant things. The picture tells us a lot of ancient human expedition, people who carved their living spaces into the volcanic rock without using modern tolls and machinery.
The architecture of these cities is not only inspiring but also a reminder of ancient human well designed and achievements. The construction of these underground maze has been attributed to the Phrygians and the Persians among others. The underground shelter was used to protect against enemy attacks and persecutions.
Thanks for the interesting sharing to explore the remarkable underground discoveries cities of Turkey.
Incredible discovery by archaeologist a massive underground city in Cappadocia of Turkey. Archaeologists happened to explore a sprawling network of tunnels and underground rooms discovered what was beneath. It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is one of several underground complexes found throughout Cappadocia. Unbelievable the underground cities were built in the 7th centuries BCE, who carved their living spaces into the volcanic rock. Looking at those amazing pictures tell us all. The cities of Ozkonak, Derinkuyu, and Kaymakli are some of the most complete underground cities in Cappadocia, Turkey. Interesting read.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Wow …could not imagine how these cities was built at that time without all the modern tools and machinery. The city seem to be specially built for protection and invasion of some sort as shelter , designed with safety features.
In the pictures, we see the abodes in modern bright lights. I wonder what it must have been in ancient times when the lighting is not so efficient.Thank you for the a very interesting article.
It’s amazing how the underground cities of Cappadocia were constructed in ancient times! A great architectural feat indeed to construct the whole maze of subterranean passages.
The construction of these underground maze has been attributed to the Phrygians and the Persians among others. The underground shelter was used to protect against enemy attacks and persecutions.
Drinkuyu was the oldest and deepest and most sophisticated and developed, with spaces accommodating churches, food stores, livestock stalls, wine cellars, and schools. Temporary graveyards were constructed to hold the dead! Derinkuyu had signs of business being run -commercial spaces, dining rooms, grocers, religious places for worship – even shopping! There were even signs that a religious school had been operating in Derinkuyu. Derinkuyu was connected to other cities by tunnels . Very interesting indeed.
Truly an ingenious set of constructions.
Underground shelters fascinate me very much. It feels like the battle field of some RPG games. I believe ventalitation would be something of concern to the architects. But I also believe the caves are nicely insolated making it quite comfortable to live in. This is a nice read. Thank you!
This is a very interesting article. What brings to mind is how many have they been attacked until they actually had to resort to to have a duplicate city or redundancy underground city?
It is ingenious to build an entire city underground. There are some really smart people in the Hittites civilization.
Derinkuyu is the deepest excavated underground city in Cappadocia in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. A beautiful natural wonder and amazing geological spectacle discovered by a man doing renovation in his house in 1963.
It was an astonishing discovery of an ancient underground city where it can accommodate a capacity of up to 20,000 people. Wow …could not imagine how these cities was built at that time without all the modern tools and machineries. The city seem to be specially built for protection and invasion of some sort as shelter , designed with safety features. Now these underground cities has become one of a tourist attraction for many tourist .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these interesting article .
Thank you Rinpoche and team.
It is amazing and it seems to be very well planed,designed and well linked. Wonder how could the people from those days able to take the pressure and temperature difference.
It clearly shows that people then have lots of wisdom.
This is really an interesting topic. I love reading and knowing more about historical architecture,from the ancient pyramids . Unusual places ,archeological findings, artifacts,and architecture. Places which we are difficult for us to visit. I love these wonderful pictures of this amazing underground city. Thank very much Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this amazing and interesting article. ?
The history is intriguing and the architecture of these underground abodes look sophisticated. The complexes are very complex indeed and look like an inverted skyscraper. In the pictures, we see the abodes in modern bright lights. I wonder what it must have been in ancient times when the lighting is not so efficient. It would be very daunting for claustrophobic people to live in there.
So, what they lacked in lighting, they probably made up with air-conditioning as those caves must have been very cool.
All in, a wonder indeed and leaves me to wonder how could such sophisticated skills be lost?
With all our modern engineering and architectural feats, are we smarter than our ancestors of long long ago? We construct upwards and leave the basements for carparks and non living areas. Whereas in ancient history cities and dwelling places were underground.
The pros and cons of the above choices are highly debatable. It is my point of view that going below the earth seem more aligned to Mother Nature and her environment, providing for shelter of snow, rain, winds and shine. In the same breathe also less destruction to the natural contours of the land.
Building upwards strains the earth and takes much more mechanical resources to make space liveable. Heating and air conditioning, not to mention the amount of mortars and stones removed from their natural sphere to create these structures.
Would I then say that mankind invents and constructs to destroy nature and the atmosphere? Not really but only a relative comparison of my mind as there is not way I can comprehend better.
To have set me thinking of what was and what is and maybe what will be, I thank H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche for His cyber encyclopedia that is diverse and educational.