Mardin unveils 5,000-year-old underground city

Archaeologists are uncovering one of Türkiye’s largest underground cities in a project led by Midyat Municipality and supported by the Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration

Efforts are in progress to open the underground city of Matiate in Midyat to tourism, aiming to position it as a prominent destination in Mardin’s Midyat district. This ancient city, designed to house up to 50,000 people underground for extended periods, is anticipated to emerge as a major tourism highlight.

Upon completing the excavation and cleaning efforts, the focus is on converting the tunnels within the underground city into secure pathways, installing lighting and ventilation systems, erecting orientation and information signs, showcasing artifacts from various civilizations, revitalizing and structuring the hidden underground spaces, all with the aim of making them accessible for tourism.

Matiate Underground City, which is expected to host many visitors as a result of these works, is aimed to become an important stop for the culture and tourism of the Southeastern Anatolia Region.

Source: Newsroom