CAPPADOCIA: Land of Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia has one of the most interesting and spectacular landscapes in the world. Millions of years ago the volcanoes of Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan covered the surrounding plateau with volcanic tuff as a result of their violent eruptions. The natural effects of wind, water and rain eroded this area into a spectacular, surrealist landscape of rock caves, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines in colors ranging from warm tones of red and gold to cool tones of green and grey.
Dating back to 4000 BC; the earliest people used to live in Goreme, known as Cappadocia, in dwellings dug into the rock. Christianity came to the region, and chapels, churches and monasteries were constructed in the rocks. At Derinkuyu, Mazi and Kaymaklı, cities were developed underground in order to hide from raiders. There is another underground city; Ozkonak which is also open to public. They are really amazing and give a sense of the way people must have felt while living underground.
During the Roman Emperor, Augustus period, territories of Cappadocian Region as a wide region lying till to the Toros Mountains at south, Aksaray at west, Malatya at east and Eastern Black Sea shores at north within the 17 volume book named ‘Geographika’ of Strabon, one of the Antic Period writers. Today’s Cappadocian Region is the area covered by Nevşehir, Aksaray, Niğde, Kayseri, and Kırşehir cities. More limited area, rocky Cappadocian Region is composed of Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Ihlara and environment.
Urgup, 20 km east of Nevsehir, is a lively tourist center and has all the characteristics of the region. Besides this, it is the center of a wine producing region and every year in September an International Wine Festival is held there. It is an excellent place to tour among the sights in daytime, and to find amusement at night. In Urgup you can see how people once lived in houses carved into rocks, along the narrow streets. Pancarlik Valley, the Mustafapasha (Sinassos) and Cemil villages, with their traditional stone houses, the Taskınpasa and Sahinefendi villages where 12th century Kirksehitler Church is located, Devrent and Catalkaya Valleys famous for their fairy chimneys are the places not to be missed.
Dive into Cappadocia’s rock-carved history.
Goreme Open Air Museum, 8 km northwest of Urgup, is a monastic complex of rock churches, and chapels decorated with frescoes. The churches of Elmalı, St. Basil, St. Barbara, Yılanlı, Karanlık, Carıklı, and Tokalı, are of particular interest and their frescoes are very well preserved. Many pilgrims still visit the churches. The cities of Goreme and Uchisar provide a bewitching scenery of cones and chimney formations. Uchisar Fortress is the highest point with an enchanting view from atop. In Cavusin, you will find the monastery of St. John the Baptist. The attractive town of Avanos is famous for its handicrafts, especially pottery, and you may try to create your own design in one of the studios. Soganlı has a picturesque beauty with dozens of chapels, churches, halls and tombs. The Byzantine development of fresco art can be observed from the 8th and 13th centuries in Soganlı.
The town of Ortahisar is carved out of rock. The churches in the Balkan Valley are some of the oldest. Kızılcukur Valley is strikingly beautiful during sunset. You should not miss that marvelous picture.
Cappadocia is a land which seems to be a fantasy. Words are inadequate to describe the beauty and charm of the region, you must experience it for yourself. It will certainly take a particular place in your memories and in your photograph album.