Derinkuyu

Derinkuyu
—  District  —
Derinkuyu Underground City
Location of Derinkuyu within Turkey.
Coordinates: 38°22′N 34°44′E / 38.367°N 34.733°E / 38.367; 34.733
Country	Turkey
Region	Central Anatolia
Province	Nevşehir
Government
– Governor	Murat Duru
– Mayor	Ahmet Balcı (MHP)
Area
– District	445 km2 (171.8 sq mi)
Elevation	1,300 m (4,265 ft)
Population (2010)[1]
– Density	55.35/km2 (143.4/sq mi)
– Urban	10,679
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
– Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	50xxx
Area code(s)	0384
Licence plate	50
Website	www.derinkuyu.gov.tr

Derinkuyu is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. According to 2010 census, population of the district is 22,114 of which 10,679 live in the town of Derinkuyu.^[1][2] The district covers an area of 445 km² (172 sq mi),^[3] and the average elevation is 1,300 m (4,265 ft), with the highest point being Mt. Ertaş at 1,988 m (6,522 ft).

Located in Cappadocia, Derinkuyu is notable for its large multi-level underground city (Derinkuyu Underground City), which is a major tourist attraction. The historical region of Cappadocia, where Derinkuyu is situated, contains several historical underground cities, carved out of a unique geological formation, and were largely used by early Christians as hiding places. They are not generally occupied. Over 200 underground cities at least two levels deep have been discovered in the area between Kayseri and Nevşehir, with around 40 of those having at least three levels. The troglodyte cities at Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are two of the best examples of underground dwellings.

History

The oldest written source about underground cities is the writings of Xenophon. In his Anabasis he writes that the people living in Anatolia had excavated their houses underground, living well in accommodations large enough for the family, domestic animals, and supplies of stored food.^[4]

Derinkuyu Underground City provided a refuge for the region's inhabitants such as Christians through the ages, for early Christians as well as possibly earlier dwellers, to Greeks hiding from the raids of the Umayyad Arab and Abbasid armies. The cities contained food stores, kitchens, stalls, churches, wine and oil presses, ventilation shafts, wells, and a religious school. The Derinkuyu underground city has at least eight levels and depth of 85 m and could have sheltered thousands of persons.

See also

• Avanos
• Churches of Göreme, Turkey
• Eskigümüş Monastery
• Ihlara Valley
• Mokissos
• Özkonak Underground City
• Zelve Monastery

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Statistical Institute
2. ^ GeoHive. "Statistical information on Turkey's administrative units" (in English). http://www.xist.org/cntry/turkey.aspx?levels=Ic%20Anadolu. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
3. ^ Statoids. "Statistical information on districts of Turkey" (in English). http://www.statoids.com/ytr.html. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
4. ^ Xen. An. 4.5.24-7.

References

• Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. "Geographical information on Derinkuyu, Turkey" (in English). http://www.fallingrain.com/world/TU/50/Derinkuyu.html. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
• Governorship of Derinkuyu, Turkey. "General information on Derinkuyu, Nevşehir" (in Turkish). http://www.derinkuyu.gov.tr/index.php?sayfa=cografya. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 

External links

• District governor's official website (Turkish)
• District municipality's official website (Turkish)
• The Underground City Of Derinkuyu

Coordinates: 38°22′25″N 34°44′05″E / 38.37361°N 34.73472°E / 38.37361; 34.73472