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Several of the rooms in Derinkuyu have been determined to be ancient chapels. And on the chapel walls are inscriptions written in Greek. Now, the Hittites wouldn't do this. But the Virgians would, and they controlled the area until about the 6th century BC when they were conquered by the Persians. There are even written records that may support this.

Several of the rooms in Derinkuyu have been determined to be ancient chapels. And on the chapel walls are inscriptions written in Greek. Now, the Hittites wouldn't do this. But the Virgians would, and they controlled the area until about the 6th century BC when they were conquered by the Persians. There are even written records that may support this.

Xenophon of Athens wrote Anabasis in 370 BC, documenting a Greek army expedition to Persia. He mentions a people in Anatolia and Cappadocia who lived underground in dwellings large enough for entire families. Now, though they didn't build Derinkuyu, early Christians occupied it in the first century AD.

Xenophon of Athens wrote Anabasis in 370 BC, documenting a Greek army expedition to Persia. He mentions a people in Anatolia and Cappadocia who lived underground in dwellings large enough for entire families. Now, though they didn't build Derinkuyu, early Christians occupied it in the first century AD.

Within the complex are several Christian churches, and there are Christian symbols and writing all over the upper floors. They also added vaulted ceilings and other structural features found in Christian architecture. And Derinkuyu was a place for Christians to hide from Roman soldiers and practice their faith in secret, avoiding persecution from the Roman Empire.

Within the complex are several Christian churches, and there are Christian symbols and writing all over the upper floors. They also added vaulted ceilings and other structural features found in Christian architecture. And Derinkuyu was a place for Christians to hide from Roman soldiers and practice their faith in secret, avoiding persecution from the Roman Empire.

And during the Arab Byzantine Wars from 780 to 1180, Muslim Arabs used Derinkuyu. They also expanded the structure and inscribed the walls. Now, there's no consensus on who built Derinkuyu, but its role in history is undisputed. It was a shelter from attacking armies, refuge from raiding tribes, and sanctuary to the faithful who feared religious persecution.

And during the Arab Byzantine Wars from 780 to 1180, Muslim Arabs used Derinkuyu. They also expanded the structure and inscribed the walls. Now, there's no consensus on who built Derinkuyu, but its role in history is undisputed. It was a shelter from attacking armies, refuge from raiding tribes, and sanctuary to the faithful who feared religious persecution.

I like to think that if the first builders knew how many thousands of people would use this city to protect their faith and their families, those builders would be proud. Derinkuyu is an important discovery, and I hope it inspires others to explore. Undiscovered secrets are all around us. Now, sometimes the walls that obscure the truth are miles thick, but other times they're paper thin.

I like to think that if the first builders knew how many thousands of people would use this city to protect their faith and their families, those builders would be proud. Derinkuyu is an important discovery, and I hope it inspires others to explore. Undiscovered secrets are all around us. Now, sometimes the walls that obscure the truth are miles thick, but other times they're paper thin.

But whether by innovation, persistence or sheer luck, those walls can be breached. It's at that point that a wardrobe becomes a gateway to Narnia. Platform nine and three quarters opens up a world of magic and a few inches of stone in a humble Turkish basement reveals an ancient underground city. I encourage you to break down these walls wherever you find them.

But whether by innovation, persistence or sheer luck, those walls can be breached. It's at that point that a wardrobe becomes a gateway to Narnia. Platform nine and three quarters opens up a world of magic and a few inches of stone in a humble Turkish basement reveals an ancient underground city. I encourage you to break down these walls wherever you find them.

Whether it's a literal wall, as in this story, or a wall in your mind holding you back from an adventure. Break down that wall. You never know what hidden world you might discover. Next up is number 157 about the Hypogeum in Malta, allegedly built by giants. In 1985, Maltese pediatrician Anton Mifsud got a frantic call from his contractor. He was clearing a piece of land for a new medical clinic.

Whether it's a literal wall, as in this story, or a wall in your mind holding you back from an adventure. Break down that wall. You never know what hidden world you might discover. Next up is number 157 about the Hypogeum in Malta, allegedly built by giants. In 1985, Maltese pediatrician Anton Mifsud got a frantic call from his contractor. He was clearing a piece of land for a new medical clinic.

Dr. Mifsud was hoping they didn't need more equipment. They were isolated on Gozo, one of the islands of Malta. The nearest mainland was the Italian coast, 60 miles away by boat. But Mifsud quickly realized this wasn't about equipment. The contractor sounded worried, afraid even. Mifsud wondered if someone had been hurt. He got the contractor to calm down and tell him what had happened.

Dr. Mifsud was hoping they didn't need more equipment. They were isolated on Gozo, one of the islands of Malta. The nearest mainland was the Italian coast, 60 miles away by boat. But Mifsud quickly realized this wasn't about equipment. The contractor sounded worried, afraid even. Mifsud wondered if someone had been hurt. He got the contractor to calm down and tell him what had happened.

While digging, workers found human bones. The doctor said they should just call the police. But the contractor said there was more to it. The skeleton they found was 10 feet long. Dr. Mifsud said that was impossible. No human ever lived that was that enormous. Then he remembered the legend. It was a late winter night on the island of Malta many thousands of years ago.

While digging, workers found human bones. The doctor said they should just call the police. But the contractor said there was more to it. The skeleton they found was 10 feet long. Dr. Mifsud said that was impossible. No human ever lived that was that enormous. Then he remembered the legend. It was a late winter night on the island of Malta many thousands of years ago.

A farmer was awakened by a strange rumbling sound. It sounded like wind, but deeper. His family was still asleep, no need to wake them until he figured out what this was. The farmer stepped through the low entrance of his hut and stood at the edge of his wheat field. It was just a day or two after the new moon.

A farmer was awakened by a strange rumbling sound. It sounded like wind, but deeper. His family was still asleep, no need to wake them until he figured out what this was. The farmer stepped through the low entrance of his hut and stood at the edge of his wheat field. It was just a day or two after the new moon.