Turkish archaeologists have revealed details about their excavations at the underground city of Saraini, located in the Konya province in central Anatolia.

Researchers believe that Saraini was once used as a refuge by local Christians who faced persecution from the Roman Empire and later from local Muslim rulers, seeking protection. The discovery was reported by sedmitza.ru, citing the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

In Turkish, "Saraini" translates to "palace," suggesting that the city was named for its luxurious structures. The city dates back to the 8th century BCE. The vast underground labyrinths, covering an area of 215,000 square feet, form an intricate structure. So far, researchers have uncovered 30 caves that may have served as living quarters, equipped with conveniences akin to a nearly modern standard, including ventilation systems, wells, stoves, and chimneys. The underground rooms and corridors were illuminated using oil lamps, with special holders installed throughout.

Excavations at Saraini have been ongoing for two years. This year, archaeologists unearthed a broad underground corridor resembling a main street. Due to the corridor's relatively small size, scientists speculated that the inhabitants of the underground city were shorter in stature than modern people, possibly due to hunger and vitamin deficiencies.

In the vicinity, there are numerous underground cities of varying sizes, but their relation to Saraini remains unknown.

One of Turkey's most renowned underground cities, Derinkuyu, or Elenkuzu, is located in the Cappadocia region. Situated almost 300 feet below the surface, it could accommodate up to 20,000 residents. Since its official discovery in 1963, it has attracted numerous tourists and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.