There is detailed information about Derinkuyu district of Nevşehir, Turkey. Derinkuyu district is geographical, historical and cultural information.

Derinkuyu District Nevşehir

Cappadocia, an extensive region, takes the spotlight in tourist trips, especially with Nevşehir and its districts. While Avanos, Ürgüp, and Göreme districts are particularly noteworthy, Derinkuyu district is also among the places that should be visited.

When Derinkuyu is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the underground city, gaining more value as a tourist destination with each passing day.

Derinkuyu Population and Geography

Derinkuyu, approximately covering an area of 450 square meters, is a district located in the southern part of Nevşehir. The district is situated at a high altitude in the region, with an elevation of 1300 meters.

It is about 30 km away from the city center of Nevşehir and is also quite close to Niğde and Aksaray.

This district, home to warm and friendly people, has a history dating back to around 3000 BC. Hosting many civilizations, the district was known as "Melakopi" in the past. There are significant studies indicating that the first inhabitants of the district were the Assyrians, with numerous traces found from the Assyrian period. In later periods, the district also hosted Byzantines and Romans. With the opening of the gates of Anatolia to the Turks, Turks began to settle in this region.

Until the 1800s, the people lived only in underground cities, but later they began to build their own houses with stones extracted from Cappadocia. The Derinkuyu underground city, used as a living space for years and featuring a highly complex structure, was opened to tourists in the 1960s.

The name of the district is derived from the frequent digging of wells for underground water in the region, and the local people meeting their drinking water needs from wells deeper than 60 meters.

Derinkuyu Livelihoods

Derinkuyu, due to the dispersal of lava after volcanic activities, has highly fertile soil. Therefore, agriculture holds a significant place among the sources of livelihood in the district, with a particular emphasis on the cultivation of potatoes.

Although there are no rivers or lakes in the region, it is rich in underground resources. Hence, there are ample opportunities for irrigation. Additionally, many families in Derinkuyu are involved in livestock farming activities.

Derinkuyu Transportation Facilities

Derinkuyu is among the districts where you won't face transportation issues. If you are driving your own vehicle, you can reach Derinkuyu from areas like Nevşehir, Göreme, Ürgüp, Uçhisar, and Avanos in approximately half an hour.

If you don't have a vehicle or haven't rented one, you can use public transportation. Although the intervals may vary seasonally, there are frequent minibus services from Nevşehir throughout the day. Minibuses typically cover the distance between Nevşehir and Derinkuyu in about 25 minutes.

Derinkuyu Önemli Linkleri

1. Derinkuyu Wikipedia
2. Derinkuyu Municipality
3. Derinkuyu Underground City
4. Kaymaklı Underground City
5. Derinkuyu Hava Durumu