In Turkey’s Cappadocia region, fairy-tale “stone chimneys” rise above ground, while beneath them lies a massive maze—the Derinkuyu Underground City. This isn’t a playground but a 2,000-year-old “underground fortress” carved by ancient people with hammers and chisels.
Shelter in Stone: Escaping Wars and Persecution
As early as the 7th century BC, locals dug caves to hide from enemies. During the Roman Empire, Christians fleeing persecution expanded the caves into an 18-floor underground city. When Arab armies invaded, people hid here for months.
“Close the doors, and enemies vanish without a trace!”
—Words carved on the walls by ancient builders
An 85-Meter “Ant Colony”: 18 Floors Underground
Derinkuyu is like an upside-down skyscraper:
18-floor structure: Reaching 85 meters deep, it housed schools, churches, wine cellars, and even underground stables for livestock.
Maze-like tunnels: 15,000 passages form a web. Some paths are so narrow you must crawl, and even locals could get lost.
Survival tricks: Air shafts disguised as wells kept fresh air flowing. Massive stone doors (500 kg each) sealed entrances during attacks.
Life Underground: Ancient Wisdom
Cool in summer, warm in winter: A steady 13°C temperature saved fuel in winter and provided shade in summer.
Self-sufficient living: Grape juice was their drink, dried animal dung fueled fires, and olive oil lamps burned for decades.
Warning system: Tapping specific walls sent alerts echoing through the city.
The Forgotten Maze Reborn
In 1963, a villager accidentally broke through a wall while renovating his house, revealing the buried city. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, visitors crouch through tunnels and marvel in the dark: “The ancients really knew how to work with stone to survive!”
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