Due to its volcanic structure, there are close to 150 underground cities in the region consisting of stone rocks that can be easily carved and shaped for protection and shelter. 36 of them are considered as underground cities and others are called shelter because they host families of 2 to 5 people. The planned underground cities have been home to people for centuries. Today, new underground cities are being discovered and the secrets are still not solved.
There are stone doors, corridors filled with traps, rooms for shelter, stables for animals, churches, cemeteries, ventilation and communication systems that cannot be opened from outside in the underground cities built for defence and defence purposes.
People who are going to enter underground cities are reminded that waist and neck hernia disorders, panic attacks, heart disease, closed area fear, those who have difficulty in descent can be difficult while visiting underground cities and notified to visitors that no liability is accepted.
Among the underground cities in Cappadocia region, Kaymaklı underground city and Derinkuyu underground city are the biggest and Mazı, Gaziemir, Tatlarin, Özlüce, Özkonak underground cities are among the other underground cities in the region.
Kaymaklı Underground City
The underground city of Kaymaklı, 25 km from Nevşehir, was built by the Hittites in 3,000 BC in a way to house 8 floors and 5,000 people 20 meters below the ground. The underground city of Kaymakli was enlarged by carving during the Roman and Byzantine periods and is now open to only 4 floors. In the gigantic underground city, there are rooms connected by corridors, halls, wine depots, kitchens and food stores, water wells, water cellars, ventilation shafts, animal shelters, churches and large sliding stones designed to close the entrance door to prevent an external danger. Museum cardholders can visit the underground city, which is normally visited for a small fee, free of charge. It is possible to go to Kaymaklı underground city which is 20 km from Nevşehir by private vehicles or by public transportation departing from Nevşehir.
Kaymaklı Underground City visiting hours: From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th from 08:00 to 17:00.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Derinkuyu Underground City
It is located in the Derinkuyu district, which takes its name from Nevşehir-Niğde highway, 30 km away from Nevşehir. Derinkuyu Underground City has been constructed as eight storeys to meet all the needs of the people and it is estimated that the first settlement was in the Assyrian period. Derinkuyu underground city is used for religious purposes more than other underground cities.
The first Christians escaped from the persecution of the Romans and built the entrance areas so that they could not be easily noticed and closed the entrance and exit of the tunnel with large rock cylinders against any attack. The underground city has a baptismal pool, a confessional site, a missionary school, churches, monasteries, water wells, rooms for shelter, food stores, ventilation chimneys, halls, cafeterias, bakeries, wineries, toilets, meeting rooms and rooms engraved in rocks for other needs. In addition, all settlement areas are connected to each other by tunnels.
* Göreme-Uçhisar-Çardak-Kaymaklı-Derinkuyu direction. There are buses from Nevşehir, Niğde and Göreme for those who want to come to Derinkuyu underground city by bus. Derinkuyu Underground City Visiting Hours: Visitors of the underground city, which is closed only until 13:00 on the first day of religious holidays are as follows From April 15th to October 2nd between 08:00 and 19:00. From October 3rd to April 14th between 08:00 and 17:00.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Mazı Underground City
Located 10 km east of the underground city of Kaymaklı, 18 km from Ürgüp, the Mazı Underground City is home to numerous Roman and Byzantine rock tombs. In the underground city, which has four different entrances, there are graves, kitchens, wine storages, animal stables, rooms connected by corridors, halls, churches, stone sliding doors to prevent outside entrances and a secret chimney that provides access to other sections. The size and depth of the underground city, which has been closed due to earthquakes and floods throughout history, is unknown and is estimated to be as large as the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. Entrance to the underground city of Mazı, whose ancient name is Mataza, is free of charge for museum cardholders and free guidance is provided for those who wish. For those who want to go to Mazı Underground City, travel agencies in the Cappadocia region organize tours and there are also buses from Nevşehir, Ürgüp, Avanos and Göreme.
Visiting Hours of Mazı Underground City; April 15, October 2 Between 09:00 and 19:00. October 3, April 14 Between 08:00 and 17:00.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Gaziemir Underground City
The underground city of Gaziemir, 55 km from Nevsehir, is entered by passage through a Hittite-style stone thrusting technique. The underground city which was found by chance in 2006 was opened to tourism in 2017. What distinguishes Gaziemir underground city from other underground cities is that this structure was built for housing and trade purposes, not for protection. In the underground city of Gaziemir, there are two churches, winemaking workshops, many wine cubes, food stores, cooking stoves, rooms for accommodation, animal shelters, corridors and passages. In the underground city of Gaziemir, transportation, ventilation, lighting and the necessary defence are perfectly planned and built. Those who want to go to Gaziemir underground city with their own vehicle should follow Gaziemir Underground City signs from Aksaray-Güzelyurt direction. For those who want to go to Gaziemir Underground City by bus, there is a minibus from Aksaray bus station. Entrance to the underground city, which can be visited every day, is subject to a fee.
Visiting Hours: April 15, October 2 Between 09:00 and 20:00. October 3, April 14 Between 08:00 and 17:00.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Tatlarin Underground City
Located 38 km from Nevşehir and 60 km from Aksaray, 10 km from Acıgöl, Tatlarin Underground City is located in the town of Tatlarin, which is also where the underground city gets its name from. Opened in 1991, only the two floors of the underground city can be visited. It is estimated that it was used as a monastery for military purposes due to the abundance of supplies in the underground city. Unlike other underground cities, people living here have the opportunity to meet their toilet and cleaning needs without going out. Those who come from Nevşehir by car to the underground city of Tatlar should use the direction of Nevşehir-Acıgöl-Tatlar. For those who want to come by bus, there are buses from Aksaray and Nevşehir bus stations. In the underground city, you can see stables, storage tanks, churches, dungeons, passage, warehouse, toilet, ventilation shaft, trapped corridors and rooms connected by a corridor. The entrance to the Underground City of horses is free and can be visited every day.
Visiting Hours: April 15, October 2 Between 09:00 and 20:00. October 3, April 14 Between 08:00 and 17:00.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Özlüce Underground City
Özlüce Underground City is located 6 km west of Kaymaklı town on Nevşehir-Derinkuyu highway. It is estimated that the underground city of Özlüce, which was entered through a 15-meter long passage, was built for defence purposes. The Özlüce underground city, which was built as a single floor and a larger area instead of a floor system, has supply depots, living rooms, cell-type rooms, trapped corridors and rooms. Those who want to come to Özlüce Underground City by car can reach by following the Nevşehir-Derinkuyu-Özlüce village signs. There are buses from Nevşehir to Derinkuyu and Özlüce village for those who want to come to Özlüce underground city by bus.
>>> ERROR: Contact the Administrator to see this content <<<Özkonak Underground City
It is estimated that the construction of the Özkonak Underground city, which is 14 km away from Avanos, started in the time of the Hittites. Özkonak Underground City has a communication system between different floors in comparison to other underground cities, as well as holes opened for defence purposes after the entrance gate. It is estimated that the attacks are prevented by pouring hot oil on the enemies through these holes. In the Ozkonak Underground City, which consists of four floors, there are ventilation chimneys like Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu underground cities, shires, water wells, galleries connected by tunnels and tons of stones which are thought to close the entrance doors. Those who want to go to Özkonak Underground City by car can go from Nevşehir-Avanos-Özkonak direction and those who want to come by bus there are buses departing from Nevşehir and Avanos. The museum can be visited for a small fee and the museum card is also valid. April 15, October 2 Between 09:00 and 20:00. October 3, April 14 Between 08:00 and 17:00.
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