Cappadocia, Turkey: Underground City Tunnels In Open To Travelers

In Kayaşehir, a historical rock-carved hillside settlement in central Turkey’s Nevşehir, a 186-meter (610-feet) tunnel that has been cleaned since 2015 will welcome tourists from the first week of May.

Discovery of new areas continues in Kayaşehir, some parts of which were opened to tourism in July 2020 after years of cleaning and restoration works.

The settlement was discovered by chance during the urban transformation project carried out by the Housing Development Administration in 2014.

Those who visit the area, which has been declared a third-degree archaeological site by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will enjoy a unique experience when passing through the long tunnel carved from rock. There are also churches, many rooms and animal shelters in the area.

Nevşehir Mayor Mehmet Savran said to Anadolu Agency (AA) that Kayaşehir is an area bearing traces of life from the sixth century until today. It may soon become an important tourism destination.

Archaeologist Semih Istanbulluoğlu, who is responsible for the excavations carried out in the area, stated that Kayaşehir has different characteristics from the underground cities in the region.

Noting that he believes the part opened to the public will attract the attention of tourists, Istanbulluoğlu stated that it is wide enough for a person to walk in it easily.