Builders in Turkey have accidentally found one of the largest and most complex underground cities in the otherworldly region of Cappadocia. The area is famous for its stunning rock formations, deep valleys and ancient subterranean hideouts, which have been carved from volcanic ash rock. The latest find is thought to be the biggest underground city in Cappadocia, consisting of 3.5 miles (7km) of tunnels, secret churches, tombs and safe havens. Scroll down for video . Builders in Turkey have accidentally found one of the largest and most complex underground cities in the otherworldly region of Cappadocia.  The city lies beneath the Nevşehir fortress (pictured). Three entrances to the impressive complex can be seen, leading to vast, winding tunnels . The subterranean city dates back around 5,000 years and was discovered when builders saw signs of a massive network of tunnels while moving mounds of Earth. It lies beneath the Nevşehir fortress and the surrounding area, which was being excavated during a construction project carried out by Turkey's Housing Development Administration (TOKİ). The multilevel settlement is likely to include living spaces, kitchens, wineries, chapels, staircases, according to a report in National Geographic. The find is similar to the discovery of another underground city, Derinkuyu, which was made in 1963 when a man took down the wall in his basement. A view of the underground city newly discovered in Turkey's Central Anatolian province of Nevsehir, which is famous for fairy chimney rock formations. The city was built from volcanic ash rock . The latest find is thought to be the biggest underground city in Cappadocia, consisting of 3.5 miles (7km) of tunnels, secret churches, tombs and safe havens. Scientists have yet to discover all its secret passages . Cappadocia, or 'Kapadokya' in Turkish, translates as 'land of the beautiful horses' and tourists often catch a glimpse of long-maned horses galloping through the formations. 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.' The volcanic rock, or 'tuff,' was soft and highly malleable, and proved ideal building material. The idea for underground cities came during the Byzantine-era when residents used them as hideouts when threatened by invasion by the Persians, Arabs and Seljuq Turks. The latest find is similar to the discovery of another underground city, Derinkuyu, which was made in 1963 when a man took down the wall in his basement. Derinkuyu was once home to 20,000 residents living together underground, in a city eleven levels deep with 600 entrances. Derinkuyu was once home to 20,000 residents living together underground, in a city eleven levels deep with 600 entrances. It had areas for sleeping, stables, wells, kitchens, ventilation shafts, tombs, communal rooms, bathrooms. Like Derinkuyu, the latest underground city was built to protect residents from invaders, but remains largely unexplored. But this city is far larger, with early estimates suggesting it could be around a third bigger than Derinkuyu. Geophysicists from Nevşehir University recently conducted a systematic study of a 1.5 mile (4 km) area using geophysical resistivity and seismic tomography. The studies suggest the underground corridors may go as deep as 371ft (113 metres), but the exact size remains unknown. Cappadocia, or 'Kapadokya' in Turkish, translates as 'land of the beautiful horses' and tourists often catch a glimpse of long-maned horses galloping through the formations. 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.' Geophysicists from Nevşehir University recently conducted a systematic study of a 1.5 mile (4 km) area using geophysical resistivity and seismic tomography. The studies suggest the underground corridors may go as deep as 371ft (113 metres), but the exact size remains unknown . The subterranean city dates back to around 5,000 years and was discovered when builders saw signs of a massive network of tunnels while moving mounds of Earth. Pictured are walkways in the Derinkuyu Underground city, which is in the same region, but smaller than the latest discovery . 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.' Pictured is an entrance to the city . The volcanic rock, or 'tuff,' was soft and highly malleable, and proved ideal building material. The idea for underground cities came during the Byzantine-era when residents used them as hideouts when threatened by invasion by the Persians, Arabs and Seljuq Turks. 'This new discovery will be added as a new pearl, a new diamond, a new gold' to Cappadocia's riches, Hasan Ünver, mayor of Nevşehir, told National Geographic. He says he wants to build 'the world's largest antique park,' with boutique hotels and art galleries aboveground, and walking trails and a museum below. 'We even plan to reopen the underground churches,' he says. 'All of this makes us very excited.' The idea for underground cities came during the Byzantine-era when residents used them as hideouts when threatened by invasion by the Persians, Arabs and Seljuq Turks. Pictured on the left is one of its corridors and on the right the excavation site . Like Derinkuyu, the latest underground city was built to protect residents from invaders, but remains largely unexplored. But this city is far larger, with early estimates suggesting it could be around a third bigger than Derinkuyu . Cappadocia, or 'Kapadokya' in Turkish, translates as 'land of the beautiful horses' and tourists often catch a glimpse of long-maned horses galloping through the formations .
Underground city was discovered in otherworldly region of Cappadocia . It is believed to consist of at least 3.5 miles (7km) of tunnels and rooms . Geophysicists studied a 1.5 mile (4 km) area using seismic tomography . Study suggests underground corridors may be 371ft (113 metres) deep .