Cappadocia, a dreamy slice of central Turkey dotted with ‘fairy chimneys’ (rock formations), has a history every bit as remarkable as its landscape. Volcanic eruptions created this surreal moonscape: the lava flows formed tuff rock, which wind and rain sculpted into sinuous valleys with curvy cliff faces and pointy fairy chimneys.
Cappadocians chiselled homes in the soft rock, paving the way for cave-dwelling hippies and today’s boutique fairy-chimney hotels.
Staying in Cappadocia today doesn’t involve any hardship or subterranean chambers. Many cave dwellings and fairy-chimney chapels have been converted into boutique hotels, where you can try the troglodyte lifestyle in luxury. Features include cave hamams (Turkish baths), rock-cut arches, walls patterned with volcanic colour-banding and panoramic terraces surveying the valleys. You’ll quickly discover what the locals have known for centuries: the tuff rock keeps rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
Why so many cave dwellings in Cappadocia?
The troglodyte habit is often attributed to a need for places of refuge and concealment in troubled times, suggesting a chronology linked with either the Arab raids of the seventh or ninth centuries or the Turkish ones of the eleventh century.
The habit itself does not, however, imply such a need. In fact, rock-cut villages often occupy conspicuous sites…Instead, as noted above, this mode of architecture should be seen as a logical response to the local conditions. The millstone closures, which appear formidably defensive to an eye accustomed to built architecture must also be seen in this context: when timber is scarce and the soft rock easily worked, such a closing method for seldom-used storage cavities may be more efficient than conventional door.
The rock-cut villages cannot, therefore, be assigned with certainty to the periods of turmoil. There is certainly no question of concealment as far as the cave churches are concerned, since they are often located in prominent sites and many also have elaborate carved facades. Nor is there reason, therefore, for assigning the churches to periods of insecurity.
10 Fascinating Cave Dwellings in the World
Another town in Cappadocia, Uçhisar is situated at the highest point in the region just 7km from Nevşehir. The rock castle of Uçhisar can be seen for miles away. The cave dwellings inside this rock used to be the most populated area of Uçhisar. However, as the danger caused by erosion became greater, people moved away. The last residents left in the 1950s. The top of the castle provides a magnificint panorama of the surrounding area.
Ortahisar means “middle castle” and as its name implies, it is central among the Cappadocian towns of Goreme in central Turkey. Its most pronounced structure is the castle of Ortahisar situated at a 86 meter (282 ft) high cave. The castle has been used strategically and for accommodation. The caste has partly crumbled away revealing some of its interior. Today it has been restored and the peak is accessible by a staircase.
3- Kandovan Iran
4- Vardzia Georgia
5- Bandiagara Escarpment Mali
6- Mesa Verde USA
7- Sassi di Matera Italy
8- Bamiyan Afghanistan
9- Matmata Tunisia
10- Guyaju China
Cave Dwellings, Cappadocia,
This was the entire reason I went to Cappadocia and I was over thrilled with the experience. I had seen reports of the caves on the discovery channel, but nothing compares to actually walking through the tunnels yourself and seeing where families slept and communities cooked and shared meals. This was a must do!
This is perhaps one of the key highlights of Turkey. There are lots of these cave dwellings located all over this region. In fact, many of them are not inhabited by anyone. As a backpacker, my friend and I had serious consideration of staying in one of these dwellings for a night or two just to experience how it must…
The organization of life in these cave dwellings, was something remarkable. I do respect the perople were forced to live their lives in caves because of very severe reasons. I could not do it!
Wow… what an amazing place! We were not sure what to expect, and were so impressed by the beauty and serenity of the place. I would best describe it as kind of a 'Turkish Grand Canyon', with all the beautiful layers of formations.
We were told it was formed by volcanic ash many years ago, and that people actually lived…
Cappadocia is a really fascinating place. I really liked it. You can find a brief information about Cappadocia in this website. It is a travel agency but besides the tours it offers, offers good information. Honestly I did not buy any tour neither from them nor from anybody else but anyway it is a useful site.
I love the outdoor historical tour. Getting a chance to enter and visit the caves were a treat.
I stayed in a renovated cave condo, looking across the valley to uninhabitated cave dwellings that had existed for centuries. It is the most phenomenal experience. Turkey is rich in history, layers of cultures. The underground cities are close by, another amazing archeological experience.
Incredible, the history and culture. I frequently tell the stories of these caves to my friends back home.
Excellent historical caves, and hundreds are still in use. Go to the Open Air Museum to explore the caves and Cave Churches.
September is a beautiful time to visit Cappadocia. The highlight of my visit was two days of touring with Yesim UNEN, of Insider Travel in Goreme. She was fabulous — engaging, friendly, totally delightful and very knowledgeable. Her English was terrific. The cave dwellings are really cool. The pictures are amazing but to understand that these dwellings were carved.