Where is the underground city in Turkey?

The Derinkuyu underground city (Cappadocian Greek: Μαλακοπή Malakopi; Turkish: Derinkuyu Yeraltı Şehri) is an ancient multi-level underground city in the Derinkuyu district in Nevşehir Province, Turkey, extending to a depth of approximately 85 metres (279 ft).

How was the underground city of Derinkuyu found?

Like something out of an especially surreal horror movie, the Derinkuyu Underground City was discovered in modern times when a man found a hidden room behind a wall in his home which, after further digging was revealed to lead to an ancient underground complex, 18 stories deep.

Why did Turkey have underground cities?

The idea behind the subterranean cities was to protect the inhabitants from foreign invasion, allowing thousands of people to live their lives in total secrecy. During the 14th century, the caves provided Christians with a safe haven from the threat of the Mongolians during the assaults on Timur.

Where was the underground city Found?

Similar underground cities have been unearthed across Turkey. Cappadocia, in eastern Anatolia, what is now central Turkey, contains some 200 ancient settlements carved out of the region’s soft volcanic rock during the 7th and 8th centuries.

Who built Derinkuyu Underground City?

It’s thought that the Derinkuyu underground city was started by the Phrygians, an Indo-European people, in the 8th to 7th centuries BCE. After the population became Christian in Roman times, they began to include chapels in their underground dwellings.

Why was the underground city of derinkuyu built?

The underground city of Derinkuyu was built to protect its inhabitants from wars and religious persecutions, able to protect 20,000 people. It was equipped with large stone doors to prevent invaders, an ingenious ventilation system, as well as a well to ensure drinking water for all citizens.

Which is the largest underground city in the world?

Montreal, Quebec, Underground city, or la ville souterraine in French, is the largest underground network in the world. Its 32 km (20 mi) of tunnel cover more than 41 city blocks (about 12 km2 (5 sq mi)).