Subterranean Sites in Turkey

Discover 9 unusual subterranean sites in Turkey.

Tuzluca, Turkey

Tuzluca Salt Mines

A former salt mine is now a cool picnic spot for families and asthmatics.

Cave of Zeus.

Kuşadası, Turkey

Cave of Zeus

This Turkish cave boasts some rather bizarre associations with the King of Mount Olympus.

The cistern beneath the carpet store.

Istanbul, Turkey

Nakilbent Cistern

A sixth-century Byzantine cistern hidden below a modern carpet store.

Interior of the mosque.

Istanbul, Turkey

Yeralti Camii (Underground Mosque)

A surprising and unconventional mosque hidden in the subsoil of Istanbul.

Kaymaklı Underground City

Kaymaklı Belediyesi, Turkey

Kaymaklı Underground City

While not Turkey's deepest underground city, this subterranean redoubt is the largest.

Derinkuyu Underground City

Derinkuyu, Turkey

Derinkuyu Underground City

The deepest underground city in Turkey was designed to protect 20,000 people behind massive stone doors.

Özkonak Underground City

Özkonak Belediyesi, Turkey

Özkonak Underground City

This ancient subterranean megalopolis is known for the hot oil traps that were installed above each of its entrances.

Istanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cisterns of Istanbul

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Ploutonion at Hierapolis.

Denizli Merkez, Turkey

Pluto's Gate

A deadly ancient portal to the underworld.

Are we missing something unusual in Turkey?