Underground Cities (Derinkuyu/Kaymaklı)

Massive underground cities carved into volcanic rock, with wine storage rooms and pressing facilities visible in the tunnels. Greek Christian communities hid here from invasions, bringing their wine culture underground. The scale - eight levels at Derinkuyu - is astonishing.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Find the Ancient Winery 85 Meters Underground Wine · Price: moderate

   Cappadocians made wine underground. The press is still there.

   On the third floor of Kaymaklı Underground City, you will find one of the most extraordinary wine-related spaces on earth: an ancient winery and wine press carved directly into volcanic rock, 30+ meters underground. Cappadocians pressed grapes in chambers that maintained natural temperature year-round, stored wine in carved stone niches, and used the same underground network for living, worship, and extreme survival. Enter Kaymaklı (20km south of Nevehir, €10-12, arrive before 09:30 before tour buses) and descend to the third floor. Ask the guide: 'Where is the wine press room?' Place your hand on the carved stone pressing basin - this surface has had grape juice running across it for roughly 1,500 years.

   Backup: If Kaymaklı is too crowded, Derinkuyu Underground City (30km south of Nevehir, 85 meters deep) has wine presses on the upper levels - easier to access and more dramatic scale.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Descend to the Deepest Human Community on Earth Adventure · Price: moderate

   8 levels, 85 meters down, built to house 20,000 people - and they brought their wine

   Derinkuyu reaches 85 meters (280 feet) below the surface and sheltered up to 20,000 people during invasions. The engineering includes ventilation shafts running the full depth, rolling stone doors, stables, living quarters, communal dining, a cross-shaped underground church, and multiple food storage areas. On the upper levels, find the rectangular carved stone troughs - these are wine presses. The Christian Greeks hiding down here brought their entire food economy underground, and wine was essential infrastructure, not an afterthought. Enter and descend as far as permitted (usually 8 levels). Notice that wine/food storage areas are on the upper levels (first in, first used) while living quarters are on the lower levels (safest from attack).

   Backup: Ask the guide about the 8-9km underground tunnel connecting Derinkuyu to Kaymaklı - they functioned as one interconnected underground society.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Read the Rolling Stone Door That Kept Invaders Out History · Free · Optional

   The engineering of the underground city tells you how much they valued what they were protecting - including the wine

   The rolling stone doors are circular stone disks, 1-2 meters in diameter, that could be rolled into tunnel openings from the inside, blocking intruders. They cannot be opened from outside. The communities underground had thought through every scenario - including how to store enough food and wine for extended periods underground. Find a rolling stone door display (most underground cities show them in position) and read the information panel. Ask: 'How long could people survive down here?' The answer - months, if properly provisioned with food, wine, and water - reveals that wine storage was essential infrastructure for survival.

   Backup: The Kaymaklı stables (upper level) still have stone rings where animals were tethered - the rings are still in the walls after 1,500 years.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Claustrophobes should consider carefully

• Wine storage areas identifiable

• Ventilation shafts are impressive

• The depth is disorienting