Visit Kaymakli Underground City, a journey to discover the underground wonders of Cappadocia

Türkiye has always been famous for the unique land of Cappadocia where majestic rock valleys and brilliant hot air balloons have created a distinctive tourism brand. However, hidden deep below these valleys is a little-known wonder that makes anyone who sets foot there amazed: the underground city of Kaymakli. This is one of the largest and oldest underground structures of mankind, which has sheltered thousands of people over the centuries. A visit to the underground city of Kaymakli is not only a journey of discovery but also an opportunity for you to learn about the religious, architectural and cultural history of a special period.

1. A few words about the underground city of Kaymakli

The underground city of Kaymakli is believed to have been built during the early Christian period (Photo source: Collected)

The Kaymakli Underground City is believed to have been built during the early Christian period when religious communities were persecuted and forced to go into hiding to survive and preserve their faith. Initially, the structures were simply small holes dug into the ground, but over time, the inhabitants expanded and developed into a complete city with many deep, interconnected levels.

According to archaeologists, the underground city of Kaymakli has at least eight floors, but currently only the first four floors are accessible to visitors. The remaining floors are preserved for safety and research reasons. Over the centuries, the site served as a natural fortress, helping people escape invasions by the Roman Arab or Ottoman armies.

When visiting the underground city of Kaymakli, you will clearly see the mark of history imprinted in every stone wall and every narrow path. It is thanks to the harmonious combination of survival function and construction art that this work has become a living testament to the intelligence and resilience of ancient people.

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2. Unique architecture

Kaymakli underground city with extremely complex and sophisticated architecture (Photo source: Collected)

The most impressive thing for many people when visiting the underground city of Kaymakli is the extremely complex and sophisticated architecture. Although created thousands of years ago, the system of stairs and rooms here is arranged reasonably like a miniature modern city.

The underground city of Kaymakli is divided into many separate areas including common living areas, wine storage, kitchens, livestock stables and small churches to serve religious life. The tunnels connecting the floors have a moderate slope enough for people and animals to move easily. In particular, the ventilation system is sophisticatedly designed with dozens of air ducts running from the ground down to help air circulate well even at a depth of dozens of meters.

Many visitors to the underground city of Kaymakli have compared this place to a giant maze. There are passages that are just enough for one person to crouch through but lead to large spaces that can accommodate hundreds of people. This contrast creates a surprising and exciting experience. In particular, the giant round stone slabs that were once used as barriers are still present, allowing visitors to clearly visualize the intelligent defense mechanism of the ancient residents.

3. Exciting experiences

Visitors can explore each living area, which is recreated almost intact (Photo source: Collected)

One of the most memorable experiences of visiting the underground city of Kaymakli is the feeling of stepping into a quiet and cool space that is completely different from the sunny and windy scenery outside in Cappadocia. The change in temperature creates the feeling of entering a parallel world that is both mysterious and fascinating.

Visitors can explore each living area that is almost completely recreated. In the kitchen area, you will see traces of a fire still imprinted on the cliff or in the wine cellar, you will encounter deep-cut stone basins for fermenting grapes. In particular, the small church space deep underground is a place that makes many people emotional because it reminds them of the faith and perseverance of those who once lived hidden here.

In addition, when visiting the underground city of Kaymakli, you will clearly feel the community spirit of the ancient residents. They lived together in a closed space where all activities were based on cooperation and sharing. This gives visitors a deeper insight into how people adapted to the harsh environment to survive.

4. Experience and notes for a tour of the underground city of Kaymakli

Some notes when visiting the underground city of Kaymakli (Photo source: Collected)

To have a complete tour of the underground city of Kaymakli, you should prepare some important notes. First of all, choose the right time to visit, usually in spring or autumn when the weather in Cappadocia is cool and pleasant. The ideal visit time lasts about one to two hours so that you can explore all four floors that are open to the public.

You should wear sneakers or shoes with good grip because the tunnel is quite narrow and has many stairs. In addition, underground spaces often have low and narrow ceilings, so tall people or those who are afraid of closed spaces should prepare mentally in advance. Lighting has been installed but the light is mainly directional, so you should still bring a small flashlight to observe more details.

When visiting the underground city of Kaymakli, you should also go with a tour guide to get historical information and interesting stories associated with each area. They will help you visualize more clearly the lives of residents thousands of years ago as well as explain architectural details that you may miss. Another important thing is to respect the heritage space. Do not touch the stone walls too much or carve names to preserve them for future generations. The underground city of Kaymakli is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved for a long time.

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Source of article: Collected and compiled
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Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/thanh-pho-ngam-kaymakli-v17978.aspx