Saratlı Kırkgöz Yeraltı Şehri

Story

The Saratlı Kırkgöz Underground City, located near the Gülağaç district of Aksaray, is one of Anatolia's archaeological treasures. Its name means "kırkgöz" - forty windows - which is the most characteristic feature of this stone-carved masterpiece. Used by the Hittites and the Romans, this site bears the traces of different civilizations. Its narrow corridors, cave rooms, and window openings show the astonishing planning skills of ancient architects. Designed like an underground metropolis, the city contains water channels and storage areas. The way the volcanic tuff stone has been worked shows how harmoniously the structure was conceived with its geological setting. The most interesting detail is that the ceiling height of some rooms was deliberately kept low - this architectural choice, designed for heat retention and energy saving, reveals the modern thinking of antiquity. Another curious point is that the ancient engineers carved an entire underground city with simple tools, without maps or calculations. On your visit, you will come face to face with history as you walk through the narrow tunnels. Less known than Aksaray's more famous underground cities, Saratlı Kırkgöz has much to offer those eager to explore.