We’ve already told you about the beautiful landscapes of Turkey and we suggest to definitely add it to your travel bucket list! But did you know about Turkey’s very own fairytale land, Cappadocia, which boasts of a rocky landscape of natural wonders? The city has been shaped by volcanic eruption and erosion and has an impressive network of underground chambers, tunnels and cities (yes!).
These underground cities were built by the locals and the religious refugees of ancient Cappadocia during the Arab-Byzantine era (between the 7th and 11th centuries). To protect its ancient inhabitants, the underground cities allowed thousands of people to lead their lives in secrecy. So, if you’re just as captivated by these underground cities as we are, read on to know more about them!
The Need for Underground Cities
Being the gateway to important trade routes such as the well-known Silk Route, Cappadoccia was a much sought after area, politically and culturally. Everyone from the Hattis, the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians and Romans to Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans tried to put their stamp on this area. This is why there was an urgent need for hideouts and such undergrounds cities for civilization to exist.
The Most Prominent Underground Cities
While there are more than 35 underground cities spread across the vast landscapes on Cappadocia with new ones being found all the time, but two of the most prominent and accessible ones are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli.
Image Source: Instagram/Dumitrip 
Image Source: Instagram/Dumitrip
The deepest excavated underground city of Cappadocia, Derinkuyu was built during the Byzantine era. The inhabitant of this underground city used it to protect themselves from Muslim Arabs during the Arab-Byzantine Wars between 780 and 1180. Giving shelter to more than 20,000 people along with their livestock and food, this city lies around 60 metres (196 feet) under the ground! It is the largest and deepest underground city in all of Turkey making it a must-visit ever since it was opened to tourists in 1969!
Image Source: Holiday IQ 
Image Source: Flickr
Built under the Citadel of Kaymakli, this is the widest underground city in Cappadocia. This city was opened to visitors in 1964. While it consists of 8 floors underground, only 4 are open to the public, with a stable on the first floor, a church on the second and other important spaces such as the kitchen, storage spaces and wineries on the third and fourth floors.
The Underground Cities Today
Apart from being major tourist attractions, these long-abandoned underground cities make for ideal storage spaces thanks to their constant underground temperature of around 13 degrees Celcius. The temperature is perfect for the storage of tonnes of fruits and vegetables which stay fresh for up to four weeks; citrus fruits, pears and potatoes for months! Labourers – mostly women – package and stack the fruit, which then is stored underground until it is needed for export to Europe, Russia and elsewhere.
So, if you truly feel like visiting a wonder, you must begin here!
Featured Image Source: Historic Mysteries
