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And the doorways were protected by massive circular stones that could retract and could only be opened from the inside. And these doors weighed a thousand pounds each or more. And the main gate was even heavier. The access tunnels at the surface are very narrow, requiring people to enter single file. And this was intentional.

And the doorways were protected by massive circular stones that could retract and could only be opened from the inside. And these doors weighed a thousand pounds each or more. And the main gate was even heavier. The access tunnels at the surface are very narrow, requiring people to enter single file. And this was intentional.

It would force invaders into choke points to make the city easier to defend. And most levels had armories to allow soldiers and citizens easy access to weapons. Even the local militia had dedicated stables to maintain horses for a small cavalry. They could ride out through a secret exit and take invaders by surprise. And Derinkuyu's multi-level cave system wasn't designed randomly.

It would force invaders into choke points to make the city easier to defend. And most levels had armories to allow soldiers and citizens easy access to weapons. Even the local militia had dedicated stables to maintain horses for a small cavalry. They could ride out through a secret exit and take invaders by surprise. And Derinkuyu's multi-level cave system wasn't designed randomly.

It was well thought out. All of the city's levels are interconnected, but they could individually be sealed off from one another, preventing enemies from going any further into the structure or sealing them in. Even the water supply was designed with defense in mind. It could only be controlled by the bottom up. So if invaders breached the upper levels, their water would be cut off.

It was well thought out. All of the city's levels are interconnected, but they could individually be sealed off from one another, preventing enemies from going any further into the structure or sealing them in. Even the water supply was designed with defense in mind. It could only be controlled by the bottom up. So if invaders breached the upper levels, their water would be cut off.

And this system helped prevent the water supply from being poisoned. And as a last resort, there were dozens of hidden passageways that led out of Derinkuyu. and a passageway that leads to Kaimakli, another underground city that is about four miles away. And you can travel there completely underground.

And this system helped prevent the water supply from being poisoned. And as a last resort, there were dozens of hidden passageways that led out of Derinkuyu. and a passageway that leads to Kaimakli, another underground city that is about four miles away. And you can travel there completely underground.

Well, Kaimakli is still being excavated, but some say it may turn out to be even bigger than Derinkuyu. It's thought that there could be an entire series of interconnected cities all around this area, completely underground. So we know why this huge subterranean city was built. But who built it? Well, that's where there's some disagreement. But we do have some clues. So who built Derinkuyu?

Well, Kaimakli is still being excavated, but some say it may turn out to be even bigger than Derinkuyu. It's thought that there could be an entire series of interconnected cities all around this area, completely underground. So we know why this huge subterranean city was built. But who built it? Well, that's where there's some disagreement. But we do have some clues. So who built Derinkuyu?

Well, the structure is made of stone, so carbon dating is no help. But there are a few theories. Some believe construction started with the Hittites between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. And a few Hittite artifacts have been recovered which make this case. The Anatolia and Hittites controlled a large portion of Asia Minor, reaching all the way to Upper Mesopotamia.

Well, the structure is made of stone, so carbon dating is no help. But there are a few theories. Some believe construction started with the Hittites between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. And a few Hittite artifacts have been recovered which make this case. The Anatolia and Hittites controlled a large portion of Asia Minor, reaching all the way to Upper Mesopotamia.

And Cappadocia and Derinkuyu were right in the middle of Hittite territory. And this region of Turkey was a main corridor for trade. So in the ancient world, whoever controlled the trade routes would be able to impose their will on the entire region.

And Cappadocia and Derinkuyu were right in the middle of Hittite territory. And this region of Turkey was a main corridor for trade. So in the ancient world, whoever controlled the trade routes would be able to impose their will on the entire region.

That's right. This was very desirable real estate. Hittite cities were under constant attack from outside forces. An underground fortress would have been very useful to protect this land and its people. The Hittites had enemies on all sides. They were constantly at war with the Assyrians, the Thracians, and of course, the Egyptians.

That's right. This was very desirable real estate. Hittite cities were under constant attack from outside forces. An underground fortress would have been very useful to protect this land and its people. The Hittites had enemies on all sides. They were constantly at war with the Assyrians, the Thracians, and of course, the Egyptians.

And the people that gave the Hittites a lot of trouble and may even have been responsible for their eventual demise were the Phrygians. The Phrygians inhabited central western Anatolia in ancient times and were related to the Greeks. We all know the story of the Midas touch. The muffler guy? No. Midas was a Phrygian king who, according to legend, could turn anything into gold.

And the people that gave the Hittites a lot of trouble and may even have been responsible for their eventual demise were the Phrygians. The Phrygians inhabited central western Anatolia in ancient times and were related to the Greeks. We all know the story of the Midas touch. The muffler guy? No. Midas was a Phrygian king who, according to legend, could turn anything into gold.

He didn't. Some believe the Phrygians constructed or at least expanded and improved the city of Derinkuyu. And the Phrygian people were talented engineers and architects. They undertook large, complex building projects all over their territory. Considered some of the greatest builders of the Iron Age, the Phrygians had the skill, knowledge, and ingenuity to create an elaborate subterranean city.

He didn't. Some believe the Phrygians constructed or at least expanded and improved the city of Derinkuyu. And the Phrygian people were talented engineers and architects. They undertook large, complex building projects all over their territory. Considered some of the greatest builders of the Iron Age, the Phrygians had the skill, knowledge, and ingenuity to create an elaborate subterranean city.