Underground cities are remarkable structures in Cappadocia and there are 15 underground cities is open for visit. Tatlarin Underground city is of them, and it’s worth to visit or read about it. Even tough Cappadocia is known for its rich historical sites. From open-air museums to valleys, fairy chimneys, chapels, monasteries, and churches, the region offers countless attractions to explore and Underground cities are one of the most visited places among the other places. Structure itself is amazing and these historical treasures, dating back 3,000 years, and learning that over 5.000 years they still stand perfectly, and never fail to amaze visitors. Among these, the underground cities are some of the most remarkable places to visit.
What Are Underground Cities?
Underground cities are settlements built by ancient civilizations to protect themselves and provide shelter. These cities often include wineries, kitchens, small rooms, living spaces, churches, cemeteries, storage areas, and stables. Visiting these cities, one cannot help but marvel at how people in ancient times managed to construct such incredible structures.
While many of Cappadocia’s underground cities were built as shelters, some, including the Tatlarin Underground City, were also used as permanent living spaces.
There are more than 200 known underground cities in Cappadocia, but not all have been fully discovered. Even in the ones that have been found, such as Tatlarin Underground City, only a few levels are accessible. It’s worth noting that there are likely many more undiscovered underground cities beneath Cappadocia’s surface, waiting to be revealed.
Where Is Tatlarin Underground City?
Tatlarin Underground City takes its name from the Tatlarin village, located on a hill called “Castle Hill” in the village. The village itself is about 10 kilometers from Acıgöl district in Nevşehir.
This underground city, like many others in Cappadocia, has hosted numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans.
Discovered in 1975, Tatlarin Underground City was opened to visitors in 1991 after cleaning and restoration. While the total number of levels is unknown, two levels are currently open to tourists.
How to Get to Tatlarin Underground City
Tatlarin Underground City is 25 km from Nevşehir and 10 km from Acıgöl. You can easily reach it for day trips using buses departing from Nevşehir. By private vehicle, follow the Nevşehir-Acıgöl-Tatlarin route if coming from Nevşehir or the Aksaray-Acıgöl-Tatlarin route if coming from Aksaray. The city is approximately 50 km from Aksaray.
You can also visit Tatlarin Underground City as part of guided tours. Contact HTR Turkey Tours to arrange a well-organized trip.
Architecture of Tatlarin Underground City
Visitors enter Tatlarin Underground City through a 15-meter-long tunnel since the original main entrance has collapsed. At the entrance, there is a “rolling stone” door that could only be opened from the inside, providing critical protection against potential threats or enemy attacks.
The entrance leads to a large hall. Inside the hall, three skeletons were found in a niche, leading to speculation that this area may have been used as a prison or burial site during the Roman period. Later, the niche was deepened to form a storage pit, suggesting it was repurposed as a kitchen or pantry during the Byzantine era. The hall also features ventilation systems, a common feature of underground cities.
A narrow tunnel leads to another room, which was used as a stable. The stable’s floor contains five storage pits, indicating it may have originally been used as a food storage area. The stable’s proximity to the entrance allowed animals to be evacuated quickly in case of danger.
Churches in Tatlarin Underground City
The city contains two churches, both believed to date back to the 13th century. These churches are located on the first two levels, and it is speculated that more churches may exist in the yet-to-be-explored parts of the city.
Both churches are two-arched. The smaller church has visible wall drawings, all depicting scenes from the Bible. The larger church bears similarities to the St. John Church in Gülşehir. The most notable feature of this church is its high ceiling, which has an inscription indicating it was built in 1215.
Unlike other underground cities, Tatlarin Underground City features a unique element: a toilet, which sets it apart from other sites.
Visiting Tatlarin Underground City
Tatlarin Underground City is a must-visit when exploring Cappadocia. If you’d like to learn more about other underground cities in the region, check out guides on Nevşehir Underground Cities and Underground Cities to Visit in Cappadocia. You can explore these sites through tours organized by HTR Turkey Tours.
Visiting Hours and Entry Fee
Tatlarin Underground City is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the ticket office closing at 4:15 PM. The site is open every day except Mondays. Entry is free of charge.
