UNDERGROUND CITY

The Derinkuyu underground city is an ancient multi-level underground city in the Derinkuyu district in Cappadocia region, Turkey, extending to a depth of approximately 85 metres (279 ft).

It is believed that the underground city was built as a shelter that is not to be seen from above, for the Christian community to escape from the pressure of the Roman Empire and Arabs.

It is large enough to have sheltered as many as 20,000 people together with their livestock and food stores.

This underground city contains many sophisticated structures like ventilation, church, stable, and cellar. It is carved from pliable volcanic ash rock called tuff.