Kaymakli Underground City

The widest, enchanting, one of the most famous and wonderful underground city in Cappadocia, Kaymaklı Underground City is situated on Ihlara Road, 10 kms far from Derinkuyu, another deepest fascinating underground city and 20 kms from Nevsehir. Miraculously well protected and maintained structure is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Established under a great hill well known as the Citadel or Sanctuary of Kaymaklı, this wonder land underground city' history dates back Hittites and Phrygians Period, in B.C 3000.  Today from past it has been used various purposes in different times. Due to its soft volcanic rock, Kaymaklı people built this splendid underground city around their homes for the security reasons. Also there are found special, secret tunnels connected to underground city and those houses. Whenever there was happened any attacks, they could temporarily use these private tunnels to pass the underground masterpiece in order to protect themselves.  Additionally, it was used by earliest Christians living in the region from 4th century to guard them from religious tortures by building caves and elaborate labyrinth of narrow tunnels and traps for enemies. Thus today, it is seen that there is located a church, a graveyard, stables, living spaces and communal kitchens within this breath-taking structure. Also it is thought that approximately 3,500 people once lived here.