Derinkuyu Underground City: Underground City Housing 20,000 People. Discovered in 1962 when local man knocked down wall during home renovations Entire city stretches more than 275 feet underground across 18 distinct levels Could house over 20,000 people with animals, food, and water supplies

Derinkuyu in Turkey is an underground city stretching 275+ feet with 18 levels, capable of housing 20,000 people. Discovered in 1963 when a wall was knocked through during home renovations. Massive stone doors weighing half a ton could seal each section. Evidence of early Christians hiding from Roman persecution. 🕯️

Key facts claimed:

- Discovered in 1963 when local man knocked down wall during home renovations

- Entire city stretches more than 275 feet underground across 18 distinct levels

- Could house over 20,000 people with animals, food, and water supplies

- Contained homes, storage areas, kitchens, wine presses, stables, churches, and schools

- Over 180 feet deep well provided clean water with thousands of narrow ventilation shafts

Key Facts

  • Discovered in 1962 when local man knocked down wall during home renovations
  • Entire city stretches more than 275 feet underground across 18 distinct levels
  • Could house over 20,000 people with animals, food, and water supplies
  • Contained homes, storage areas, kitchens, wine presses, stables, churches, and schools
  • Over 180 feet deep well provided clean water with thousands of narrow ventilation shafts
  • Massive circular stone doors weighing up to half a ton could seal each section from inside
  • Evidence shows early Christians hid there to escape Roman persecution
  • Hittites proposed as possible originators around 12,000 BCE
  • Tunnels connect to other underground cities including Kaymaklı and Ozkonak
  • In 2012, workers uncovered largest underground complex estimated at over 5 million square feet descending over 370 feet

Related site: Derinkuyu Underground City — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.