Cappadocia | The Eight-Level Underground Marvel

Beneath the surface where sunlight cannot reach, we ventured into the Derinkuyu Underground City—a miraculous world carved out of rock. This ancient refuge was built by early inhabitants to escape wars and religious persecution. Spanning eight levels, it could accommodate up to 20,000 people. Winding passageways, ventilation shafts, granaries, and chapels intertwine, with every stone door and corridor holding centuries-old wisdom and faith. Our guide explained that the origins of this underground city date back to the Hittite period, later expanded by the Byzantines into the vast structure we see today. Walking through the narrow rock walls, the echo of our footsteps felt like a dialogue with history. What surprised us most was meeting a local guard who shared, with a smile, "There’s a passage from my family’s old house that connects to here." In that moment, this seemingly distant ancient relic suddenly connected with modern life—history was no longer just a story in books but a living reality. Emerging back to the surface, the sunlight was so dazzling it was almost blinding. Yet, the underground world we had just left continued to resonate within us. It wasn’t merely a relic but an echo of time—a reminder of how humanity survives in extremes and finds hope in darkness.