About
Dulkadirli Underground City: Kırşehir’s Mysterious Subterranean Labyrinth
📍 Dulkadirli İnli Murat Underground City, the third underground city open to tourism in Kırşehir, is located 58 kilometers from the city center. With its spacious courtyard, arched windows, and interconnected halls, this unique structure offers visitors a fascinating journey through history. Unlike the underground cities in Cappadocia, Dulkadirli boasts a distinctive architectural design.
🔹 Dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD, this underground settlement is believed to have been built as a refuge and worship site for Christian communities facing persecution during the Roman period.
🔹 However, some historians suggest that it may have served not only as a hiding place but also as a major residential center or even a monastic complex.
🔹 The two excavated levels, a vast open courtyard, and extensive tunnels make Dulkadirli one of the most remarkable underground cities in the region.
Architectural Features of Dulkadirli Underground City
🏛 Dulkadirli stands out with its unique architectural features:
📌 22-Meter Entrance Tunnel: Access to the underground city is through a 22-meter-long tunnel, which was strategically designed with narrow and winding passages for security purposes, preventing easy enemy infiltration.
📌 Grand Open Courtyard: Unlike other underground cities, Dulkadirli features a vast open-air courtyard measuring 50 meters wide and 20 meters high. Surrounding the courtyard are 16 arched windows, adding to the site’s striking appearance.