Underground Cities: Derinkuyu and Kaymakli

Cappadocia's underground cities are among history's most impressive engineering achievements, built for defence and daily life over thousands of years. Derinkuyu descends as deep as eight levels and once sheltered tens of thousands of people thanks to its sophisticated ventilation shafts and rolling-stone doors. Kaymakli stands out with wider horizontal tunnels and shared production areas. In this post you will find floor plans of both cities, their historical background, what to look out for during your visit and practical tips on avoiding claustrophobia.