The Kaymaklı Underground City is one of the most significant and extensive underground settlements in Cappadocia, a region renowned for its unique cultural assets. Estimates suggest that there are between 150 and 200 underground cities in Cappadocia, carved into soft tuff rock to create secure refuges against potential threats.

Historical and Functional Aspects: Located in the village of Kaymaklı, historically known as “Enegüp,” the underground city includes more than 100 tunnels, many of which are still used by villagers today for cellars, storerooms, and stables. Kaymaklı Underground City distinguishes itself from Derinkuyu by its plan and construction, featuring low, narrow, and sloping passages that connect various rooms through labyrinth-like tunnels.

Layout and Architecture: Currently, four floors of the Kaymaklı Underground City have been unearthed, with each floor centered around ventilation shafts that provide fresh air throughout the complex. The first floor contains stables, while the second floor houses a church with a single nave and two apses. In front of the apse is an altar, and on the sides, there are seating platforms.

The most significant areas of the city are located on the third floor, which includes numerous storage rooms, wineries, and kitchens. A notable feature of this floor is a large block of andesite with a relief texture. Unlike other materials brought into the city, this stone was part of the andesite layer uncovered during the hollowing process. The stone's surface has 57 holes carved into it for crushing and grinding purposes, illustrating the ingenuity of the city's ancient inhabitants.

Modern-Day Utilization: Despite only a portion of the city being accessible today, with just four floors uncovered, Kaymaklı is recognized as the widest underground city in Cappadocia. The extensive number of storage rooms within a limited area supports the idea that a substantial number of people once resided here.

Visitor Experience: Visitors to Kaymaklı Underground City can explore its well-preserved spaces and gain insights into the daily lives of its historical inhabitants. The underground city provided a safe, stable environment, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making it an ideal refuge.

Cultural Significance: Kaymaklı Underground City offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history of Cappadocia and understand the innovative solutions developed by ancient civilizations to ensure their security and sustain their way of life.

Exploring Kaymaklı Underground City provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the remarkable engineering and communal living strategies of its creators, while also highlighting the ongoing legacy of these ancient spaces in modern village life.