Derinkuyu Underground City: Mystery in tight spaces

The one place we HAD to go to was at least one of the hundreds of underground cities used as a place of refuge and protection for people facing religious invasions.  These were first built in the Byzantine period.

We chose Derinkuyu because it is the largest underground city open to the public, reaching 8 stories down.  As it may seem obvious, the entrance is very unnoticeable and without the signs, one would never guess there was an actual city underneath them.  As soon as we went in, a tour guide spotted us and offered his services for around $20.  Worth every penny as he went from room to room explaining what everything was.  We started out the stables where horses, sheep, and human took shits together.  I can't imagine doing my business next to a sheep staring at me, but I guess I'd get over it.

We then observed the kitchen, bedrooms, schools, churches, and my favorite: wineries!  These cities also had secret tunnels that connected to other cities.  Some rooms were also equipped with defense mechanisms like stone doors.  I was especially fascinated by how small and claustrophobic the tunnels were.  I'm only 5'5" and I had to bend down quite a bit (as seen in my pics), but I can't imagine being a large 6'5" man.  Or maybe, the environment was not conducive to having tall and large people back then.  But I also wonder if they have a height limit for tourists, 'cause seriously I don't know how Kobe Bryant could possibly fit into one of these tunnels.

I was also fascinated by the sophistication and complexity of the entire set up. Who envisioned the whole thing and how long did it take to build?  There was an elaborate ventilation system and communication system.  Similar to how I felt about the Colosseum in Rome, I wonder if manual labor would be able to recreate this today. 

Overall, an impressive place if you're OK with being in small, dark places.  I loved it!