The Underground Cities of Caesarea

On the territory of modern Turkey, in Caesarea (Kayseri), there is an entire underground district. Hidden in the rocks of Mount Argaeus (Erciyes) are 11 underground cities and 3 rock-cut settlements.

The photograph shows a hall carved into the rock. In the ceiling is a round, dome-shaped hollow ringed with small arched niches, and traces of a coloured wall painting survive on part of the ceiling. Rows of small arched niches line the walls, and the floor is covered with broken stone.