
Imagine a fortress carved into the heart of a massive rock, filled with classrooms, living quarters, and secret passageways. The Niğde-based Gümüşler Manastırı is precisely such an exhilarating place! If you’ve ever wondered how people in ancient times transformed a mountain into a livable space, let’s explore this mysterious world together. How Does a Giant Rock Become a Home? Gümüşler Manastırı is one of the largest and best-preserved monasteries in the Cappadocia region. What makes this struc
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Zerrin Bayar
ÖzÖzkonak Underground City is a structure located in the Özkonak Village, 14 kilometers north of the Avanos District in Nevşehir Province, within Türkiye’s Central Anatolia Region. It was constructed on the northern slopes of İdiş Mountain, in an area characterized by thick layers of volcanic tuff composed of granitic material. The structural properties of the tuff rock—easily carveable, hardening upon exposure to air, and offering favorable thermal and humidity conditions—enabled the formation of
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Melike Saraç
AlAli Dağı Underground City is located on the slope ascending toward Ali Dağı in the Talas district of Kayseri Province. It was opened to the public in 2010 following cleaning, lighting, surveying, and landscaping works carried out by the Talas Municipality. The official opening took place in June 2011. The structure has been designated as a First-Degree Archaeological Site Area within the Protective Urban Planning Plan.Historical BackgroundWhile it is difficult to determine with certainty the exa
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Melike Saraç

Han Underground City is an ancient underground settlement carved into natural rocky terrain within the boundaries of Han District, affiliated with Eskişehir province in Türkiye’s Central Anatolia Region. The settlement occupies a strategic position along major west–east and north–south communication routes across Anatolia. Archaeological findings and historical records indicate that Han Underground City was in use from the Roman and Byzantine periods onward, and continued to serve a functional r
ENKayra Enes Şimşek

Boyabat Castle is a historical fortress located in the Boyabat district of Sinop, in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region. Originally constructed by the Paphlagonians in the 7th century BCE, the castle was subsequently used during the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, reflecting the architectural styles of these eras. Built on a steep cliff overlooking the Gökırmak Valley, the structure is not only a defensive fortification but also stands out as an archaeological site due to its underground cities a
ENZeynep Ravza Aydın

Mucur is a district in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye affiliated with the province of Kırşehir. Situated at an elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level, the district covers an area of 1,088 km². As of 2024, the total population of Mucur is 19,445. Located 23 kilometers from the city center of Kırşehir, Mucur stands out with its historical heritage and natural richness.HistoryThe history of Mucur dates back to the Bronze Age, according to archaeological findings in the region. Caves foun
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Melahat Pamuk

Derinkuyu Underground City is one of the deepest underground settlements in Cappadocia, located within the boundaries of the Derinkuyu district in Nevşehir Province, Türkiye. This structure reaches approximately 85 metres below the surface and holds significant historical and archaeological value due to its multi-level architecture and advanced defensive systems.Derinkuyu Underground City (Türkiye Culture Portal)Historical BackgroundThe exact construction date of Derinkuyu Underground City is un
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Sinem Bostan
DeDerinkuyu is a district located in the southern part of Nevşehir Province. It borders Kayseri and Yeşilhisar to the east, Niğde to the south, Acıgöl to the west, Ürgüp to the northeast, and the city center of Nevşehir to the north. The district lies within the volcanic Misli Plain, situated between Mount Erciyes, Mount Hasan, and Mount Melendiz. With an elevation of 1,300 meters, the terrain is generally flat and lacks forested areas. The soil structure is sandy and volcanic, resulting in high e
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Meltem Saraç

Kepez Underground City is located in the village of Kepez, within the Mucur district of Kırşehir. This city is one of the special shelters constructed thousands of years ago by people seeking safety. These underground cities reveal how people lived in the past and the challenges they faced.Time TravelThe history of Kepez Underground City dates back to ancient times, approximately 1700 years ago—long before your great-great-grandparents were born. During the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, Christians l
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Nida Üstün

Aydıntepe Underground City is a historical settlement located under the district center of Aydıntepe (formerly Hart) in Bayburt province, at a depth of approximately 2–2.5 meters from the surface, built by being carved into the tuff (tüfit) layer. This structure, consisting of galleries directly carved into the bedrock, vaulted (tonozlu) rooms, and large spaces, is one of the unique cultural assets in the region.No other building material was used in its construction; the rooms and galleries wer
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Melahat Pamuk