The Underground City

The underground city at Derinkuyu is one of more than 200 discovered in the Nevsehir area of Turkey, including one found in March this year which may be the largest yet.  The Christian population of the area used the underground city as a refuge when they were threatened.

This one went down about seven stories underground, mostly connected by little passages we had to stoop to walk through.  The main entrance passage sloped down for about 50 metres, and I had to bend double while walking down it.  The most alarming thing is that it is also the only exit, so when you start to get busloads of people coming down, you have trouble getting them to stop long enough to let those already down there get out again!

Waiting for a gap in the incoming flow so we can get out again.

One of the larger rooms.

Just in case you weren't nervous already!

Entrance passage, and the heavy stone door which can block it.

Ancient wiring.