We live in a world where hidden wonders lie just beneath the surface of our everyday lives. Sometimes, the barriers between our reality and the unknown are thin, ready to be breached at any moment. It’s like discovering that a wardrobe is a portal to Narnia or that a rabbit hole leads to Wonderland. In the town of Derinkuyu, Turkey, a man’s quest to solve the mystery of his missing chickens led to an astonishing discovery—an entire underground city right beneath his basement. This remarkable find, made in 1963, unveiled a hidden world that had remained unknown for centuries, offering a glimpse into ancient civilisations’ ingenuity.
The story begins with a man in Derinkuyu noticing that his chickens were disappearing. Upon closer inspection, he found a small crevasse in his basement that served as an escape route for the chickens. Intrigued, he decided to investigate further, leading him to knock down a wall, revealing a vast underground network.
What he had discovered was the Derinkuyu underground city, a marvel of ancient engineering that spanned 18 levels and reached a depth of 280 feet (85 meters). This subterranean complex could accommodate up to 20,000 people and their livestock, providing them with a safe refuge during times of war or invasion.
The origins of the Derinkuyu underground city date back to around 1200 BC when the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people, carved out caves in the soft volcanic rock to shelter from the Phrygians. Over the centuries, the city was expanded and modified by successive civilisations, including the Romans and early Christians, who added chapels, stables and storage areas.
The underground city’s strategic location in Anatolia, a region frequently invaded and conquered, made it an essential refuge for its inhabitants. Its elaborate design included features such as rolling boulders that could be used to block passages, ventilation shafts to ensure a fresh air supply, and separate areas for animals to prevent the buildup of odours.
Despite its ancient origins, the Derinkuyu underground city remained hidden until its rediscovery in the 1960s. It had been abandoned in 1923 when the Christian population of Anatolia was forced to leave.
Now, Derinkuyu is no longer considered an uncharted territory because it is already one of Cappadocia’s most popular tourist destinations. However, there could be one beyond the wall of your basement. Check out.
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