With new discoveries of ancient communities and cosmopolitan modern cities, archaeologists and travelers alike are unearthing the millennia of secrets that make Turkey the sixth-most visited tourism destination in the world.

The Turkish Office of Culture and Tourism announced that one of the largest and most complex underground cities was discovered in March 2015 in the otherworldly region of Cappadocia.

This 5,000 year old underground city was unearthed under the Nev?ehir fortress. Discovered while constructing new buildings, the underground city is considered one of the largest and most complex underground cities in the region with 3.5 miles of tunnels, secret churches, tombs and safe havens. The multilevel settlement is likely to include living spaces, kitchens, wineries, chapels, and staircases.

The city – estimated to be a third bigger than the previously discovered Derinkuyu – was built to protect residents from invaders, but remains largely unexplored. Early studies suggest the underground corridors may go as deep as 371ft. Millions of years ago, volcanic activity covered the region under several layers of ash. Erosion then created a landscape of rock formations and spires known as ‘fairy chimneys.’

A record-breaking 41 million travelers to the country have discovered the modern beauty of Istanbul and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Göreme National Park – resulting in their listing among the top destinations in the world in TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Highlighting how the “breathtaking ancient architecture coexists with modern restaurants and nightlife” where Europe and Asia meet, TripAdvisor ranks Istanbul just ahead of Cappadocia’s Göreme National Park, a town literally carved into the volcanic rock that “houses spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches.”

Visit Turkey, www.goturkey.com