Why is there a 2,000-year-old city hidden beneath Turkey? The story of Derinkuyu

In 1963, a Turkish homeowner accidentally uncovered the entrance to Derinkuyu, a vast underground city beneath Cappadocia capable of sheltering 20,000 people. Spread across 18 levels, the rock-carved metropolis featured homes, wells, ventilation shafts and defenses.

In 1963, a resident of a quiet Turkish town set out to renovate his home. What appeared to be a routine construction project soon became one of the most astonishing archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

While knocking down a wall in his basement, he uncovered a hidden chamber. Intrigued, he squeezed through the opening and found another room. Then another. And another.

What he had accidentally stumbled upon was no ordinary underground space. Beneath his feet lay the entrance to Derinkuyu, a vast subterranean city hidden beneath central Turkey, capable of sheltering up to 20,000 people.

Buried deep beneath the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, Derinkuyu is one of humanity's most remarkable engineering achievements. Carved directly into soft volcanic rock, the underground metropolis contains living quarters, chapels, storage rooms, wells, ventilation shafts, stables, and sophisticated defensive systems spread across multiple levels.

Even more remarkable is the fact that this was not merely a network of caves, but a fully functioning city where thousands of people could live in secrecy for months at a time.

More than six decades after its accidental rediscovery, Derinkuyu continues to fascinate archaeologists and historians alike. Who built this underground wonder? How old is it? And what circumstances forced entire communities to retreat beneath the earth?

LEGENDS BENEATH CAPPADOCIA

For generations, local legends whispered about hidden tunnels beneath Cappadocia. Villagers spoke of secret passages and underground chambers, but few imagined the true scale of what lay beneath their feet.

Everything changed in 1963.

The accidental discovery triggered extensive exploration, revealing a sprawling network of interconnected tunnels, staircases, ventilation shafts, and vast chambers spread across 18 levels. Archaeologists soon realised they had uncovered one of the largest and most sophisticated underground cities in the world.

What began as a simple home renovation had opened the door to an ancient world.

WHO BUILT DERINKUYU?

The city's origins remain one of its greatest mysteries.

Most historians believe Derinkuyu may have first been excavated around the eighth century BCE by the Phrygians, an ancient people who inhabited central Anatolia after the decline of the Hittite Empire. Over the centuries, successive civilisations expanded and modified the city, with major additions continuing through the Byzantine era.

But not everyone agrees.

Some alternative researchers suggest that portions of the underground complex could be far older than conventional archaeology proposes. According to these theories, Derinkuyu may have roots stretching back to the Neolithic period, or perhaps even to a lost civilisation that existed before recorded history.

While such claims remain speculative, they have added another layer of intrigue to an already mysterious site.

A LAND SHAPED BY EMPIRES

To understand Derinkuyu, one must understand the turbulent history of the region above it.

What is now central Turkey was once the heartland of the Hittite Empire. Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of the Phrygians, Assyrians, and Persians before being conquered by Alexander the Great.

Later, the region became an important province of the Roman and Byzantine empires. Between the seventh and tenth centuries CE, it faced repeated Arab incursions. By 1175, it had fallen under the control of the Seljuk Turks before eventually becoming part of the Ottoman Empire.

In a land repeatedly shaped by invasion, warfare, and political upheaval, an underground refuge may have offered the ultimate form of protection.

WHY BUILD A CITY UNDERGROUND?

The answer lies in both necessity and geology.

Cappadocia sits atop layers of volcanic tuff, a porous rock formed from ancient volcanic ash. Soft enough to carve with relative ease but strong enough to remain structurally stable, it provided ideal conditions for creating underground spaces.

Over generations, local inhabitants transformed this natural advantage into an extraordinary feat of engineering.

At approximately 4,480 feet above sea level, Derinkuyu descends more than 200 feet beneath the surface, disappearing into the volcanic formations below the town. During times of danger, entire communities could retreat underground and remain hidden for extended periods.

INSIDE THE UNDERGROUND METROPOLIS

Far from being a simple network of caves, Derinkuyu functioned as a fully operational underground city.

Built around a large central ventilation shaft, the settlement was carefully organised into layers. Near the surface were practical spaces such as storage rooms, stables, armories, and small churches. Deeper levels housed living quarters and communal areas designed to support thousands of residents.

Among its most remarkable features are:

• 18 levels deep: Some tunnels extend more than 200 feet below ground.
• Massive stone doors: Circular stone doors weighing up to 1,000 pounds could seal off passages during attacks.
• Sophisticated ventilation: More than 50 ventilation shafts supplied fresh air throughout the city.
• Wells and water systems: Deep wells ensure a reliable source of fresh water even during prolonged sieges.
• Food storage and livestock areas: Stables, kitchens, wine presses, and storage rooms suggest long-term habitation rather than temporary shelter.

Even today, the engineering behind the city continues to impress archaeologists.

THE MYSTERY OF THE UNEXPECTED LEVELS

Despite decades of research, Derinkuyu has not revealed all of its secrets.

Less than half of the underground city has been excavated. Large sections remain inaccessible, either because of structural concerns or because archaeologists have yet to fully explore them.

What lies beyond these sealed passages remains unknown.

Could additional chambers be waiting to be discovered? Hidden artifacts? Evidence that could rewrite the history of the site?

No one knows for certain.

A MYSTERY THAT REFUSES TO DIE

The unexplored sections have fuelled countless legends. Some stories speak of secret tunnels leading to undiscovered chambers. Others speculate about lost civilisations hidden deep beneath Cappadocia's volcanic landscape.

Most of these claims remain firmly in the realm of speculation, but they continue to capture the imagination of visitors and researchers alike.

What is undeniable, however, is that beneath the quiet streets of modern-day Turkey lies a vast subterranean world that once sheltered thousands of people.

More than six decades after its accidental rediscovery, Derinkuyu remains one of archaeology's greatest enigmas -- a hidden city where history, engineering, and mystery converge beneath the earth, still guarding secrets that may never be fully uncovered.

- Ends