A Basement Renovation in Turkey Unveiled a Lost City Beneath the Earth
It sounds like something straight from a movie — a man knocks down a wall in his home, only to discover a tunnel leading to a vast underground metropolis. But this incredible tale is true. In 1963, during home renovations in the Nevşehir Province of Cappadocia, Turkey, a local man made a discovery that would stun archaeologists and historians alike: he had unearthed the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu.
The incredible find began when the man, reportedly chasing after his chickens, broke through a wall in his basement. Behind it, he uncovered a hidden tunnel leading deep underground. What he found next was beyond imagination — a labyrinthine city carved into the soft volcanic rock beneath Cappadocia. Originally known as Elengubu, the city of Derinkuyu once sheltered an estimated 20,000 inhabitants.Derinkuyu: A City Beneath the Surface
Stretching over 280 feet below the Earth’s surface, Derinkuyu remains the largest excavated underground city in the world. It’s believed to be part of a broader network of over 200 interconnected subterranean cities scattered throughout the region. According to Turkish historians and guides, many of these hidden cities have been discovered in more recent years, all linked through a web of secret tunnels.
Derinkuyu's 18 subterranean levels were remarkably advanced for their time. Inside, archaeologists discovered evidence of fully functional communities — including living quarters, food storage rooms, animal stables, wineries, religious chapels, schools, and more. Ingeniously designed ventilation shafts supplied fresh air, while a sophisticated system of wells provided access to clean water.Life Underground: Innovation in the Face of Threats
Though advanced, life in Derinkuyu was not easy. Residents lived by torchlight, relieved themselves in sealed clay jars, and designated specific areas for burial. According to a guide named Suleman, “Life underground was probably very difficult.” Still, the structure of the city suggests it was built with strategic purpose.
Researchers believe Derinkuyu originally functioned as a storage complex before becoming a refuge during times of invasion. The city’s defenders constructed ingenious security measures — each level could be sealed with giant stone doors weighing several hundred pounds, movable only from the inside. These doors featured small spear holes, allowing inhabitants to fight off intruders who might attempt to enter.
The tunnels and corridors were narrow and low, intentionally designed so invaders had to stoop and advance single-file, giving residents a defensive advantage.Ancient Origins Still Shrouded in Mystery
The exact origins of Derinkuyu remain uncertain, though references to it appear in texts dating back to at least 370 BCE. Scholars suggest the earliest portions of the city may have been constructed by the Hittites — a powerful Anatolian people of the Bronze Age — around 1200 BCE, possibly as a response to Phrygian invasions.
As centuries passed, the underground city expanded. The Phrygians are believed to have excavated much of the deeper infrastructure. Later, Derinkuyu would come under the control of several other civilizations, including the Persians, early Christians, and Cappadocian Greeks, each of whom contributed to its evolution.Though the city was eventually abandoned, it remains a remarkable testament to ancient ingenuity and resilience. Today, Derinkuyu is open to the public as a historical site and continues to fascinate scholars and tourists alike.
What began as a routine renovation turned into one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century — a sprawling underground world preserved beneath the feet of modern-day Cappadocia.
It sounds like something straight from a movie — a man knocks down a wall in his home, only to discover a tunnel leading to a vast underground metropolis. But this incredible tale is true. In 1963, during home renovations in the Nevşehir Province of Cappadocia, Turkey, a local man made a discovery that would stun archaeologists and historians alike: he had unearthed the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu.
The incredible find began when the man, reportedly chasing after his chickens, broke through a wall in his basement. Behind it, he uncovered a hidden tunnel leading deep underground. What he found next was beyond imagination — a labyrinthine city carved into the soft volcanic rock beneath Cappadocia. Originally known as Elengubu, the city of Derinkuyu once sheltered an estimated 20,000 inhabitants.Derinkuyu: A City Beneath the SurfaceStretching over 280 feet below the Earth’s surface, Derinkuyu remains the largest excavated underground city in the world. It’s believed to be part of a broader network of over 200 interconnected subterranean cities scattered throughout the region. According to Turkish historians and guides, many of these hidden cities have been discovered in more recent years, all linked through a web of secret tunnels.
Derinkuyu's 18 subterranean levels were remarkably advanced for their time. Inside, archaeologists discovered evidence of fully functional communities — including living quarters, food storage rooms, animal stables, wineries, religious chapels, schools, and more. Ingeniously designed ventilation shafts supplied fresh air, while a sophisticated system of wells provided access to clean water.Life Underground: Innovation in the Face of ThreatsThough advanced, life in Derinkuyu was not easy. Residents lived by torchlight, relieved themselves in sealed clay jars, and designated specific areas for burial. According to a guide named Suleman, “Life underground was probably very difficult.” Still, the structure of the city suggests it was built with strategic purpose.
Researchers believe Derinkuyu originally functioned as a storage complex before becoming a refuge during times of invasion. The city’s defenders constructed ingenious security measures — each level could be sealed with giant stone doors weighing several hundred pounds, movable only from the inside. These doors featured small spear holes, allowing inhabitants to fight off intruders who might attempt to enter.The tunnels and corridors were narrow and low, intentionally designed so invaders had to stoop and advance single-file, giving residents a defensive advantage.Ancient Origins Still Shrouded in MysteryThe exact origins of Derinkuyu remain uncertain, though references to it appear in texts dating back to at least 370 BCE. Scholars suggest the earliest portions of the city may have been constructed by the Hittites — a powerful Anatolian people of the Bronze Age — around 1200 BCE, possibly as a response to Phrygian invasions.
As centuries passed, the underground city expanded. The Phrygians are believed to have excavated much of the deeper infrastructure. Later, Derinkuyu would come under the control of several other civilizations, including the Persians, early Christians, and Cappadocian Greeks, each of whom contributed to its evolution.Though the city was eventually abandoned, it remains a remarkable testament to ancient ingenuity and resilience. Today, Derinkuyu is open to the public as a historical site and continues to fascinate scholars and tourists alike.What began as a routine renovation turned into one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century — a sprawling underground world preserved beneath the feet of modern-day Cappadocia.
