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Derinkuyu is situated 29km
from Nevsehir, on the road to Nigde. The settlement is approximately 85m
deep. It contains all the usual rooms found in an underground settlement
(stables, cellars, refectories, churches, wineries etc.). Apart from
these, a large room with a barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor was
a missionary school, the rooms to the left being study rooms.
From the 3rd and 4th floors
onwards the descent is by way of vertical staircases which lead to the
cruciform plan church on the lowest floor.
The 55m deep ventilation
shaft was also used as a well. Not every floor was provided with
a well, however, some wells were not connected with the surface in order
to protect the dwellers from poisoning during raids. Derinkuyu Underground settlement
was opened to visitors in 1965, but so far only 10% can be visited
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