The underground city of Derinkuyu in Cappadocia, Turkey, was rediscovered in 1963 during a basement renovation. Less than half of the city has been excavated, with many sections remaining sealed due to structural instability. The site extends to approximately 85 meters deep and could house up to 20,000 people. A Greek Orthodox church (Church of the Sacred Apostles) exists in Derinkuyu, dating to the 10th-11th century. 🏛️⛪
Sealed lower chamber with staircase and portal discovered in restricted Derinkuyu Underground City area
TürkiyeGeneral
Site mentioned
Key facts
- Restricted area accessed through broken metal gate and narrow tunnel
- Huge unexcavated hall found with staircase leading to sealed portal
- Multiple tunnels branch from main chamber (3-4 on opposite side)
- Floor not leveled, area completely unexcavated
- Passage behind rolling stone door filled with sand and sediment
- Material must have been introduced from behind the sealed door
- Only 15% of Derinkuyu Underground City officially accessible; deeper areas remain sealed
Sources
Derinkuyu underground city - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
In 1963, the tunnels were rediscovered after a resident of the area found a mysterious room behind a wall in his home while renovating. Further digging ...
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A social post shared in early 2024 accurately reported that a man renovating his home in Turkey discovered a massive, ancient, underground city.
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A basement renovation project led to the archaeological discovery of a lifetime: the Derinkuyu Underground City, which housed 20000 people.
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A basement remodeling effort in 1963 produced the archeological find of a lifetime: the 20,000-person Derinkuyu Subterranean City.
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This is the legendary story told to visitors of Derinkuyu, one of several underground cities scattered across Cappadocia in central Turkey.
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