Kaymaklı Underground City, Underground city in Nevşehir, Turkey.
Kaymaklı is an eight-level underground settlement carved into volcanic rock, featuring interconnected tunnels, ventilation shafts, wells, storage areas, and living quarters. The entire complex displays careful planning with narrow passages and distinct functional zones.
The settlement began in the 8th century BC with the Phrygians and expanded during the Byzantine period as protection against Arab invasions between 780 and 1180 AD. Multiple layers of construction reveal how successive periods left their mark on the structure.
Religious spaces carved into the rock include small churches with stone doors that reveal how Christianity shaped daily life here. These rooms served as gathering places where the community practiced their faith.
Access is limited to four levels through three main entrances with varying schedules between seasons. Wear comfortable shoes as passages are narrow with stairs throughout, and temperatures underground remain notably cooler than the surface.
Large stone bolts at the entrances and exits allowed inhabitants to seal themselves off and block intruders from entering. This simple but effective security measure reveals how thoughtfully the defensive design was conceived.
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