There are some secret places on this earth that man has been forced to create, not to enjoy, but to be able to survive. To escape harsh elements, but mostly, as a refuge from tyranny and persecution. Because he was perceived to be different. Or just because he did not happen to pray to the ‘right’ God.
The surreal lunar landscape of Cappadocia conceals a massive network of such secret places……whole subterranean cities, several layers deep! Originally thought to have been built over 3500 years ago, by the Hittites making their last stand against the enemy they called the ‘Sea People’, they were later used by early Christians fleeing persecution by the Romans.
Narrow claustrophobic tunnels lead to large rooms with ventilation shafts and niches in walls for oil lamps. The first level was always reserved for stables and animal pens. With living areas, kitchens, churches and store rooms stretching below over several levels. There were baths, toilets and wineries too! And dry wells for water storage and wet wells over natural springs, both inter-connected for a continuous supply of fresh water.
Massive grain stores ensured the inhabitants could survive a siege underground almost indefinitely! The dead were interred in temporary burial chambers till their remains could be transferred to permanent graves outside.
There are reputedly innumerable underground cities around Cappadocia spread over a radius of a hundred square miles! Only forty have been excavated so far, and of these just six are open to the public.
A fascinating part of any Cappadocia itinerary, but don’t expect artwork and mosaic, at least not in the ones open to the public. And do not attempt it if you are the least bit claustrophobic.
The Urge To Wander 
These are great photos for the theme, Madhu, and your information is really interesting too. Well done
Thank you AD 🙂
Oh boy, Madhu, this is fabulous, I knew you’d have something wonderful to share for this theme, and you didn’t disappoint. Cappadocia is really high up on my list of places to see, and after this post, it has moved very close to the top of the list.
Cappadoccia is an amazing place, it deserves to be on top of your list. Glad you liked tis Ailsa. Look forward to the next prompt 🙂
Dear Madhu, So interesting, and excellent photos. Best wishes, Ellen
Thank you Ellen 🙂
WOW! Great contribution to the challenge’s theme…what an amazing feat of community planning, engineering and architecture too.
Isn’t it? And all interconnected! Thank you for the visit and comment Sahbina.
Perfect, Madhu, Cappadoccia is just perfect for ‘secret places’! And as always, wonderfully shot photographs and your inimitable descriptive style:)
Glad you think so. I believe it was its location on the main trade routes between India, China and the west that made it prone to frequent raids and hence the need for these secret places. Thanks, always enjoy your visits 🙂
Not as much as i do, Madhu!
Madhu thank You for sharing this photo’s with all of us.They are amazing indeed.
My pleasure entirely Milena. Thank you for your visit and comment.
As I was reading your post and admiring your photos, I was thinking exactly that: not for claustrophobic people!
Not at all marina 🙂 And not for people who do not appreciate history, because there isnt’t a whole lot to see really. We heard several people complaining and wanting to return!! Appreciate your sharing your thoughts Marina.
Oh my goodness this post was made just for me,loved the shots,looks like my kinda place…. all secret hidden planning evil things (you know how villains are they got to do their work..) and bollywood evil laughter in the background he he haw haw haw
i may have lived there in my past life
if not i would be terribly dissapointed
super loved it 🙂
Just the place for your fertile imagination! I can almost imagine you slaying villains in there Bollywood Ishtyle 🙂 You will love Capadoccia Soma.
The claustrophobic aspect might keep me out of these fascinating tunnels and rooms so thank you for the look-see.
You are most welcome Lynne. It isn’t stuffy and smelly like inside the Pyramids, but you do feel hemmed in and one needs to traverse some of the passages almost bent double!
Another fine post, Madhu. You often send me to my atlas to look up places and learn more. So thanks.
Thank YOU Stephen 🙂
Fabulous post, Madhu!
Thank you Ruth.
Beautiful post and pictures to accompany, not very secret now though. 😉 love it.
It was never MY secret to begin with Gerry 🙂 Thank you for dropping by.
Again Madhu, your post has me dreaming of a trip to Turkey sometime in the future! What a wonderful interpretation of the theme – I did know about the “fairy chimneys” of Cappadocia but not of these underground cities.
Turkey is vastly underestimated for some reason. When we went, we were asked “Why Turkey, before so many other nicer destinations?” We liked it so much, we returned a few years later to Istanbul! Thanks for visiting as always James 🙂
Hooray Madhu this is awesome, wasn’t it an incredible place. I was there in June last year and you? If you say June as well I’ll scream! 🙂 Gx
September 2007. Last June would have been too much of a co-incidence 🙂
I love your post, you keep putting up pictures of places I’ve been. I was there in 2000. I wonder what you’ll post next, and if I’ll have been there too. 🙂
You could check out my index and only read the ones you haven’t visited 🙂 You couldn’t possibly have been to Laitan and the Chongqing region in China (click on images on the right to check these out). Laitan is truly my secret place!
A great post with great shots – wonderful… 😉
Ledrake, appreciate your visit as always 🙂
Such an amazing place!
Thank you Khaula. Your Aryans might know of this place since they are so close anyway 🙂
They would like to, but they never find it. It is where the good guys hide when they are attacked.
Of course 🙂
Great “secret place,” Madhu! Cool pictures and description as well. If you want to see my day at the underground cities, here it is: http://catbirdinturkey.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/cappadocia-cave-churches-underground-cities-raki-under-the-stars/
I think you and I definitely seem to be drawn to many of the same places!!
We do!!! And loved your oh, so romantic version 🙂
Thank you, Madhu!
…a hundred square miles, amazing! I’m in awe… Thank you for sharing the story and awesome photos!
And all secret and undiscovered till the sixties! Thank you for sharing your thoughts Amy
Very cool, I’d always heard about this place but have never seen it. Another one to add to the list!
The list never gets shorter does it? Thanks for the visit and comment Aaron.
Brilliant entry Madhu! Very well written and excellent interpretation of secret places!
Thank you Nicole 🙂 Glad you liked it.
Wow. An underground housing scheme. That’s a fantastic secret place.
Space starved urban areas could take a leaf out of this book. Thanks Anette 🙂
Great interpretation of the theme,what a fantastic place and great pics.
Thank you!
Hi,
Truly a magical place, a great post for the theme. 🙂
Thanks Mags.
Ah Cappadoccia, one of the places I really want to visit in Turkey. I’m not a huge fan of narrow underground places, but I definitely won’t mind walking (or crawling) in those tunnels. They’re just amazing! Did you also take the hot-air balloon?
Wouldn’t have missed the balloon ride for the world Bama! Did a post on it titled ‘Floating over fairy Chimneys”.
Madhu, I never tire of your photos or your travel stories. Every post is so interesting and beautiful. Thank you!
Oh, thank you so much Elisa! Means a lot
Lovely post and lovely pictures, Madhu. 🙂 I appreciate the information you give us. It feels like we are there, in that place too.
That is such a sweet compliment! Thank you Imelda 🙂
Great photos, love it!
Thank you Christina. Appreciate your stopping by to comment 🙂
Another place to put on my list, Madhu: what an absorbing place. That red-brown stone is just hypnotic.
Glad you enjoyed it Kate. I am surprised so few people have heard about it!
Wow! Looks amazing! I’m trying to figure out my entry still… LOL
You did good girl! Loved your pictures of the Black desert.
Thanks! 😀
Fascinating! Great photos and information, as usual!
And always a pleasure to read your kind comments Fergie 🙂
Fascinating post! You’ve made me put another place on my list of “must visit” places 🙂
The travel bug is contagious 🙂 Thanks for stopping by
This is simply Wonderful, Madhu. Like these pictures a lot. I wonder, you traveled all over the world or what! You are one lucky person, to visit so many wonderful places. Great work as always. 🙂
Thanks Arindam. A LOT of the world still left to see 🙂
I felt like Indiana Jones as I go into a labyrynth that leads to an amazing treasure. Fun and exciting. Thanks.
Thank you Island traveler.
one of the world wonders – should rank higher than the pyramids in Egypt – I would like to hide there …
Oh, that might be a bit much Frizztext! But I agree it would be a good place to hide 🙂
I was there back in 2003. Interesting place.
Madhu, you find the most intriguing places to take us!
As long as you enjoy the ride Ledia 🙂
WOW! Very surreal and unearthly! Bookmarking it! THANKS Madhu!
You are most welcome Zoe 🙂
Very impressive site.. Did you enter alone or on a guided tour… Quite an amazing site. 😉
We had a guide with us, but I think you can do it on your own.
another beautiful post madhu!
Thanks Mimo 🙂
Loved this one. Reminded me of my childhood when I would find my very own “secret lair” under the dining table! A great write, Madhu and nice pix. Shakti
Thanks Shakti. Appreciate your dropping by my blog. And delighted that this led me to your wonderful site.
Reblogged this on Flickr Comments by FrizzText.
hello Madhu,
I’ve found your “reblogged” button:
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/15190/
thank you for all your kind comments!
Delighted Frizztext! And glad you liked it so much 🙂
it’s the best icon, metaphor (and history) of HIDING!
Thank you for sharing this most informative blogs
Thank you Rosa
One can really find inspiration in your posts and it is always packed with nicely taken photos 🙂 A very interesting post Madhu! I wouldn’t mind moving into a subterranian city with this heat wave here 😉
Me neither 🙂 Thank you Paula, for your kind comments.
Amazing.
Thanks for sharing!+
Thank you Nelson.
Guess who’s AWESOME!? You are. So I gave you the oh so amazing Pink Tree Award. Click the link below for details!
http://wp.me/p28KeB-b7
Oh, thank you! Didn’t have that one in my hoard 🙂 Jokes apart, I truly appreciate the thought. Thanks again.
You’re quite welcome. I didn’t have that one in my stash either so it was nice to see it. 🙂
Great photos and writing Madhu.
I am a big fan of looking around I go to old abandoned army forts and abandoned buildings on of the places I want to see is Catacombes de Paris, and now this place 🙂
Thank you Jim. We skipped the Catacombes in Paris on our last visit since we were short of time. Perhaps another day
Very Cool
DJ-
Thanks DJ. Appreciate your support here and on twitter 🙂
Madhu, I love the background story you provide with the photos. Excellent.
Thank you Judy 🙂
These photographs are amazing! You’ve shared much information.
Thanks you for your comments earlier, and thank you for the follow. xo
Thank you for the comment Deb 🙂
Stunning!!!!! Our world is so mysterious! Thank-you for the “likes.”
Thank YOU Kath 🙂
I really like the abstract quality of the images. Thanks so much for “liking” my post, Sally
Very informative and great shots. I heard of these before, but never saw such great interior shots.
Some great pictures here – difficult to take in the dark. I wouldn’t like to have had to stay down there any length of time…
Wow Madhu this is fascinating and your photos really capture the beauty of the place. You warn don’t go if you’re claustrophobic? How did a claustrophobic person LIVE down there?
I’d really love to go to Turkey one day!
dear Madhu, I’ve set a link to you at
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/cappadocia-the-subterranean-cities/
I hope that will support your work!
for google tag Cappadocia with one “c” too …
Thanks for pointing it out Frizz. I must have been thinking in Italian when I wrote this post 🙂
yes, we like Cappuccino too,
ciao Madhu!
🙂