Underground Cities in Cappadocia

Tunnels to Underground Rooms

Hundreds of rooms in the underground cities were connected to each other with long passages and labyrinth-like tunnels. The corridors were made long, low and narrow, to restrict the movements of enemies. Small indentions were also hollowed out on the wall surfaces of these corridors, in which to put candles and oil lamps filled with gold-colored linseed oil. However, so far, in none of the underground settlements has an oil-press (a place used to make linseed-oil) been found. Therefore, it is assumed that linseed oil was made outside and then taken to the underground settlements. The linseed oil lamps were used not only to lit the places but also to heat them. There are millstones for defence purposes between the floors to separate the various areas. The millstones, whic can be opened only from the inside, are 1-1,5 m in height, 30-50 cm in width and 200-500 kg in weight. A hole bored in the center was used to open and close the millstone, as well as to see the enemies behind it, or to attack them with one or two exceptions, were carved out in situ.