Kaymaklı Underground City
Central Anatolia Region
Kaymaklı Underground City, located in Turkey's Central Anatolia Region, is one of the largest and most remarkable underground settlements in Cappadocia. Carved into soft volcanic tuff, it features a complex network of tunnels and rooms spread across multiple floors, designed primarily for protection and habitation. The city’s origins trace back to the Phrygian period (8th–7th centuries BC), but it was extensively expanded during the Byzantine era to shield inhabitants from Arab raids. Connected by tunnels to nearby Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı hosted storage areas, stables, churches, kitchens, and metallurgical workshops, indicating a self-sustaining underground community. The city’s design centers around ventilation shafts, with rooms arranged to maximize airflow. It was used for centuries by Christian inhabitants to escape invasions and persecutions, including during the Mongol incursions and Ottoman period. Today, four floors are open to visitors, revealing spaces such as a church with a baptismal font, living quarters, and a unique andesite stone used in copper processing. Although only a fraction of the city has been uncovered, Kaymaklı offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient ingenuity and survival strategies beneath the earth’s surface.
Plan your trip to Turkey with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures inside the tunnels. Purchase tickets in advance or use the MüzeKart for convenient entry. Wear comfortable shoes due to narrow, steep, and uneven passages. The site is open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, with the ticket office closing at 16:15. Guided tours can enrich the experience by explaining the historical and architectural details. Be prepared for low ceilings and confined spaces, making it less suitable for visitors with claustrophobia or mobility issues.
Interesting facts
- •Kaymaklı Underground City is connected to the nearby Derinkuyu Underground City by an 8–9 km tunnel network.
- •The city features a unique andesite stone with 57 carved holes used for cold-forming copper, evidencing ancient metallurgy.
- •The tunnels were intentionally built low and narrow to hinder enemy movement during attacks.
- •The city was used as a refuge by Christian inhabitants during Ottoman persecutions as late as the early 20th century.
- •Only four of the many floors of the city have been excavated and opened to the public so far.
History
The underground city of Kaymaklı was originally developed by the Phrygians in the 8th to 7th centuries BC, carved into the region’s soft volcanic rock.
It was significantly expanded during the Byzantine period (5th–10th centuries AD) to protect inhabitants from Arab raids during the Arab–Byzantine wars.
The city remained a refuge through the Mongol invasions in the 14th century and was used by the Christian Greek-speaking inhabitants to escape Ottoman persecution up until the early 20th century.
After the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923, the underground city was largely abandoned and later opened to tourists in 1964.
Place Guide
First Floor - Stables and EntrancesByzantine period
This level contains stables for animals, narrow tunnels, and the main entrance passages. The small size of the stables suggests other stables may exist in unexplored sections. A millstone door here was used for security, blocking access to inner chambers.
Second Floor - Church and Living QuartersMiddle Byzantine Period (5th–10th centuries AD)
This floor houses a church with a nave and two apses, featuring a baptismal font and seating platforms along the walls. Nearby living spaces likely accommodated religious figures, supported by graves found adjacent to the church.
Third Floor - Storage, Kitchens, and MetallurgyMiddle Byzantine Period
The most important floor containing storage rooms, wine or oil presses, kitchens, and a remarkable andesite block with 57 holes used for cold-forming copper. This indicates advanced metallurgical activity within the city.
Fourth Floor - Storage RoomsByzantine period
This level features numerous storage rooms and areas for earthenware jars, reflecting the economic stability and capacity to support a large underground population.
Contact
Phone: (0384) 218 25 00
