Cappadocia is a fascinating region, not only for its fairy chimneys but also for its rich historical and cultural heritage. This blog post discusses Cappadocia's ancient cities and underground cities in detail, presenting the history, architecture, and visitor information of important sites such as Derinkuyu and Kaymakli. Readers will embark on a journey into Cappadocia's mysterious past and gain a comprehensive guide to the region's historical sites.
Cappadocia is known as one of Turkey's most popular tourist regions. In addition to its unique fairy chimneys, valleys, and natural beauties, it also fascinates its visitors with its rich historical and cultural heritage. The ancient cities in the region, and especially the Cappadocia underground cities, stand out as important historical sites that carry the traces of the past to the present. In this article, we will explore the ancient cities and underground cities that you must see in Cappadocia.
Cappadocia's history dates back to the Paleolithic period. The region, which has been home to many civilizations such as the Hittites, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, bears traces of different cultures. Especially during the Roman and Byzantine periods, Cappadocia became an important center for Christianity, and many churches, monasteries, and settlements from this period have survived to the present day.
Cappadocia's Mysterious Underground Cities
One of the most remarkable features of Cappadocia is its underground cities. There are dozens of underground cities in the region, built to protect and hide from enemy attacks. These cities are large enough to accommodate thousands of people and have features such as complex tunnel systems, living spaces, water wells, food storage, and ventilation chimneys. Cappadocia underground cities are considered engineering marvels.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the largest and deepest underground cities in Cappadocia. The city, which is approximately 85 meters deep, has 8 floors and can accommodate 20,000 people. Derinkuyu was built in the 7th and 8th centuries BC and was also used during the Byzantine period. The city has many different sections such as living spaces, churches, schools, stables, wineries, and food storage. Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the places that visitors to Cappadocia should definitely see. You can find detailed information on the T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism website.
The discovery of Derinkuyu is quite interesting. In the 1960s, a passage was found during the renovation of a house's basement, and it was understood that this passage opened to the underground city. Since that day, Derinkuyu has been flooded with tourists.
Kaymaklı Underground City
Kaymaklı Underground City is the second largest underground city in Cappadocia after Derinkuyu. The city, which has 4 floors, can accommodate approximately 5,000 people. Kaymaklı was used extensively during the Byzantine period, and stables were an important place, especially for the protection of animals. The city also has churches, living spaces, and food storage. Kaymaklı Underground City attracts attention with its narrow tunnels and labyrinth-like structure.
The distance between Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu underground cities is approximately 10 kilometers, and according to some theories, these two cities were connected by underground tunnels. However, these tunnels have not yet been fully discovered.
Özkonak Underground City
Özkonak Underground City, although smaller than other underground cities, has interesting features. The city has sliding stones used for defense against enemy attacks and holes used for communication. Özkonak is not multi-story like other underground cities, but it still has sections to meet basic needs such as living spaces, food storage, and water wells.
Tatlarin Underground City
Tatlarin Underground City is one of the lesser-known underground cities of Cappadocia. However, it has a different architecture compared to the others. Tatlarin stands out especially with its churches and tombs. The city also has many structures that bear traces of monastic life.
Other important underground cities in Cappadocia include Mazı Underground City, Özlüce Underground City, and Sivasa Gökçetoprak Underground City. Each of these cities has different characteristics and historical significance.
Other Important Ancient Cities and Archaeological Sites of Cappadocia
In addition to its underground cities, Cappadocia has a rich historical heritage with its ancient cities and archaeological sites on the surface. These ancient cities bear traces of different civilizations and offer visitors the opportunity to travel back in time.
Göreme Open Air Museum
Göreme Open Air Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cappadocia. The museum is famous for its rock-carved churches, monasteries, and chapels dating back to the Byzantine period. The walls of these churches are decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible. Göreme Open Air Museum is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The most important churches in the museum include the Tokalı Church, the Elmalı Church, the Church of St. Barbara, the Yılanlı Church, and the Dark Church. Each of these churches is decorated with frescoes from different periods and exhibits important examples of Byzantine art.
Zelve Valley
Zelve Valley is one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia. The valley attracts attention with its rock-carved churches, houses, and monasteries. Zelve was used as a village until the 1950s, but was evacuated due to the danger of erosion. Today, Zelve Valley can be visited as an open-air museum.
In Zelve Valley, there are important churches such as the Balıklı Church, the Üzümlü Church, and the Geyikli Church. The walls of these churches are decorated with frescoes from the Byzantine period.
Çavuşin Village
Çavuşin Village is a historical village located between Göreme and Avanos. The village is famous for its rock-carved houses and churches. Çavuşin Church is one of the most important structures in the village. The church was built in the 5th century and is decorated with frescoes from the Byzantine period.
In Çavuşin Village, the Church of St. John the Baptist and Güllüdere Valley can also be visited.
Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle is the highest point of Cappadocia. The castle was built on a natural rock formation and offers a panoramic view of the region. Uçhisar Castle was built during the Hittite period and was also used during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
From the castle, important places such as Göreme Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Mount Erciyes can be seen. Uçhisar Castle is one of the places that visitors to Cappadocia should definitely see. If you would like to stay in Uçhisar, you can have a unique experience at our hotel, Zeppelin Cappadocia. You can enjoy the magical atmosphere of Cappadocia by choosing the one you want from our rooms.
Tips for Visiting Ancient Sites in Cappadocia
When visiting Cappadocia, it is important to pay attention to a few tips to explore the ancient cities and underground cities:
- Wear comfortable shoes: Ancient cities and underground cities may have uneven and rocky terrain. Therefore, it is important to wear comfortable and non-slip shoes.
- Keep water with you: Since Cappadocia's climate is arid, it is important to keep water with you. Especially in summer, the temperature can be high and dehydration can negatively affect your health.
- Use a hat and sunscreen: It is important to use a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. Especially at noon, the effect of the sun may be more intense.
- Visit with a guide: It may be helpful to visit with a guide to learn more about the historical and cultural significance of ancient cities and underground cities. Guides can give you detailed information about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the places.
- Keep your camera with you: Cappadocia's ancient cities and underground cities offer great opportunities for taking photos. By keeping your camera with you, you can immortalize the beauty of these unique places.
- Check visiting hours: Visiting hours of ancient cities and underground cities may vary depending on the season and day. Therefore, it is important to check visiting hours before visiting.
Cappadocia is a fascinating region with its historical and natural beauties. The Cappadocia ancient cities and underground cities in the region stand out as important historical sites that carry the traces of the past to the present. Underground cities such as Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Özkonak and Tatlarin are considered engineering marvels and offer visitors a unique experience. Ancient cities such as Göreme Open Air Museum, Zelve Valley and Çavuşin Village are famous for their rock-carved churches, monasteries and houses dating back to the Byzantine period. By visiting Cappadocia, you can get to know this historical and cultural heritage closely and collect unforgettable memories. You can check out other activities you can do in Cappadocia on our Experiences page. In addition, you can contact us from our contact page and we can help you plan your Cappadocia tour.