Derinkuyu is an ancient underground city near Nevsehir, built in the 8th-7th century BC, which was used by early Christians to take refuge from the oppressive Arabs .It is the largest underground city in Turkey: at the moment it has unearthed 11 floors, which are under the ground to a depth of 85 meters, in total, according to archaeologists, there are about 20 .The city has an area of about 4x4 km and can simultaneously accommodate up to 50 thousand people, with cattle, a provision for several months, a chapel, wineries, pottery and other necessary workshops .The city has ventilation chambers with a depth of 55 meters and a water supply system that supplies water to residents of all levels .Derinkuyu is connected by tunnels to other underground cities of Cappadocia, including from Kaymakly .
The underground city was opened to visitors in 1969, but, unfortunately, only a small part of the archaeological excavations can be inspected.
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How to get to Derinkuyu
From Nevsehir every half hour the bus leaves, the next only to Derinkuyu, there are several buses stopping in the city and traveling further. A bus from Aksaray is sent to the city once a day.
In addition, you can book a one-day tour in Göreme or Avanos.
Search for tickets to the city of Istanbul (the nearest airport to Derinkuyu)
Hotels in Derinkuyu
Just 300 meters from the entrance to the underground city is the Hotel Unfa, the room rate starts from $ 50. A little farther from the entrance to the dungeons are the hotels Ali Baba and Kaya.
Stardust Beach Hotel 4 * 09.05 for 7 nights, starting from 13 347 rubles
Carelta Beach 4 * 07.05 for 7 nights, starting at 17 691 rubles
Eftalia Aytur Hotel 4 * 23.05 for 7 nights, starting from 21 658 rubles
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Restaurants
You can dine at the Unfa Hotel or in one of the smaller restaurants on the main square. In Zeki's Restaurant it is quite cozy, perfectly prepared dishes of Turkish cuisine and pleasant attendants.
Excursions and attractions of Derinkuyu
The underground city is open to visitors daily from eight in the morning until five in the evening, the entrance fee is 10 lira, the guide fee is about 25-30 lire.
Pay attention to the ventilation shafts. Outside, they were disguised as wells, but in fact, through them it was possible to penetrate the city. They are very deep and their lower parts reach groundwater, which was used by local residents for water supply.
Throughout the underground city you can see a lot of large stone discs. They were used as doors that shut outsiders to access individual rooms or to entire floors. Thanks to their design, it was possible to open such a door only from the inside.
Throughout the city, there were many workshops that produced everything necessary for a long stay. You will find a winery, presses for pressing oils, a bakery with stones on which flour was poured, several kitchens, pottery workshops and much more. Also in the city there are several warehouses, barns, wine cellars and stables. If you climb the stairs between the third and fourth levels, you will find a small cross-shaped church.
The main difference of Derinkuyu from other underground cities is located on the second floor of a large hall with vaulted ceilings, used as a spiritual school. Next to it there are a few smaller rooms used for the same purposes.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that the lower you descend, the narrower the tunnels become, in some areas the height of the ceilings does not exceed 160 centimeters. some visitors, going down low enough, experience a slight panic, so visiting Derinkuyu is preferable if you are sure that you do not have claustrophobia.
On the surface, too, there is something to see. A hundred meters to the south of the city is a beautiful, albeit somewhat gloomy, abandoned Greek Orthodox monastery. The city mosque also began its existence as a Christian church. It's worth visiting if you find a watchman who will open it to you.