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Tatlarin underground city,
which was one of the most
important
underground cities of
the
Cappadocia region, could
only be discovered in 1975
because its original
entrance had collapsed and
had gone underground to be
opened to the visits of
tourists in 1991. The toilet
in it demonstrates that
toilets were being used in
Anatolia around 3000 years
ago. There are many food
storage areas and churches
within it. It is believed to
have been used as a center
for religious or military
purposes judging by the
large size of its rooms.
Only two floors of the
Tatlarin underground city
which has spread over a
pretty large area can be
visited currently, however
works continue to open the
other floors to visits as
well. Although there is a
large number of churches
around and within the
Tatlarin underground city
which is near the Acigöl
district of the
Nevsehir province a
major part of them have
collapsed due to natural
causes.
The Tatlarin underground
city is entered through a
passageway that is
approximately 15 meters
long, and the entrance
passageway opens to a
relatively large hall. There
is a sliding stone which has
the purpose of sealing off
the entrance in the event of
an enemy attack. This
sliding stone which could
only be opened from the
inside was used as an
instrument of defense
against animals and enemies.
Three skeletons were found
in the section leading
downwards from the right
side of the hall. The
kitchen found on the right
side of the hall provokes
the idea that this section
was used as a burial ground
in the Roman period and as a
kitchen in the
Byzantine period. That
is so because the burial
places in which the
skeletons were found are
identical with the burial
places used in the Roman
period. However, the
interior part of the burial
places were deeply carved
out later so as to put food
supplies in them. This large
hall at the entrance is
connected to a second large
area with a zigzagging
corridor. There is a trap
and a sliding stone against
intruders. There is a stable
and five food supply
storages carved into the
floor in this second section
which is supported by strong
columns. And in the ceiling
there is a ventilation well
which provides access to the
other parts of the city.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Ozkonak Underground City
Mazi Village Underground
City
Kaymakli Underground City
Gaziemir Underground City
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