These caves under a mosque and a Byzantine castle were once part of a vast underground city. It was located in the modern Turkish province of Nevsehir. Scientists say it is the largest of its kind found in Turkey. Several millennia ago, up to 30 thousand people could live in it.
According to some historians, Phrygian tribes began to build such cities in the VIII-VII centuries BC. Their original purpose is unknown. But later peoples used underground cities to hide from enemy raids.
Another reason is soil. It is a soft tuff that is very easy to make indentations and hardens quickly on contact with air.
Mevlut Joshkun, anthropologist:
“One of the reasons why these people preferred to live underground is the quality of the soil, which makes it very easy to dig in. Instead of carrying stone somewhere and building houses, it was easier to carve houses out of stone."
The city goes deep into at least 8 levels, more than 50 meters. There were living quarters, ventilation shafts, wells, stables, kitchens, bakeries, barns and even a cemetery.
It will take about a year to excavate and prepare the area for tourists. Nevsehir is expected to open to visitors in 2017.
It is worth noting that other underground cities have been found in the Cappadocia region. One of them, Derinkuyu, has been open to tourists since the 60s of the last century.
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