Why The Ancient Underground City of Derinkuyu in Turkey Was Built 18 Levels Deep | Femina.in

Although Derinkuyu’s origins are debated, scholars believe it might have been built by early Anatolian peoples such as the Phrygians and significantly expanded by Byzantine-era Christians.

1. The Soft Volcanic Rock Made Digging Possible

The landscape in Cappadocia was formed by ancient eruptions that blanketed the region in volcanic ash, which hardened into tuff. Tuff is a versatile material – soft enough to be carved with simple iron tools yet strong enough to hold its shape, and it hardens further once exposed to air. These properties allowed communities to excavate shafts, corridors, and rooms, without elaborate timber supports. Additionally, this workability of the rock meant each generation could extend the city a little deeper, adding chambers as families grew or threats intensified. 

2. It Was A Defence Against Invaders

Cappadocia sat along crossroads used by raiders and armies for centuries. Historians have traced Derinkuyu’s expansion to periods of insecurity – especially when Christian communities sought refuge during Byzantine-era raids. The city’s depth was a defensive advantage: the attackers would find it harder to find and reach the lower levels, while the length and narrowness of the passages forced intruders to move in single file. Entire levels could be sealed off by large circular stone doors rolled across corridors and locked from the inside. The defenders were also able to retreat downward while blocking the route behind them, which turned the city into a layered fortress.

3. It Provided Stable Temperatures 

Temperatures underground stay remarkably constant year-round, cool in summer and mild in winter, unlike the harsh surface climate in Cappadocia. This made it viable to store food (grain, olive oil, and other provisions), wine and livestock feed in the lower levels without great fear of spoilage through long periods of confinement. The cool air also helped keep living spaces comfortable. Residents were encouraged to dig downward rather than outward because deeper levels offered the most consistent conditions. Derinkuyu worked as both a climate-controlled shelter and a hiding place.

4. An Opportunity For Community Life At Scale

Surviving underground for weeks required fresh air and water, and Derinkuyu’s builders were able to address both these needs. Air was carried through the levels by hundreds of ventilation shafts; one deep main shaft is also believed to have supplied water as a well. Research suggests that the city could have sheltered up to 20,000 people along with their animals. To that end, residents built shared spaces such as communal kitchens, workshops, a school area, and chapels. They spread these across many levels, which helped to keep the crowded population organised, separated livestock from living areas, and let the community function as a self-contained underground town.

Frequently-Asked Questions About Derinkuyu, Turkey

Q. Where is Derinkuyu located?

A. Derinkuyu lies in the Nevşehir Province of Cappadocia in central Turkey.

Q. How deep does the underground city of Derinkuyu go?

Q. Can visitors see all 18 levels at Derinkuyu?

A. No. Only the upper levels, around eight, are open to the public at Derinkuyu.

Q. Who is believed to have built Derinkuyu?

A. Derinkuyu’s origins are debated. Some scholars point to early Anatolian peoples such as the Phrygians, while Byzantine Christians are believed to have significantly expanded the underground city.

Q. When was Derinkuyu rediscovered?

A. Derinkuyu was rediscovered in 1963, when a resident found a hidden passage behind a wall in his home.