UNDERGROUND CITIES

The underground cities of Kaymakli, Mazi, Derinkuyu and Ozkonak were all used by the Christians of the seventh century as places of retreat in order to escape persecution. They fled from the iconoclastic strife of Byzantium as well as other invasions in these safe and well hidden metropolises. A complete environment, these cities included rooms for grain storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and air shafts. Today they are well lit and an essential and fascinating part of a Cappadocian tour. West of Avanos, Gulsehir has Hittite rock inscriptions, and nearby, at Gokcetepe, there is a bas relief of Zeus. South on the Nevsehir road brings you to the 13th century church of St. John, and farther along is Aciksaray where the carved rocks hold churches and chapels. For the tours in Cappadocia region please check our tour page.