The Turkish region of Cappadocia, a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage, boasts one of the most dramatic sights in the world.
Visiting Cappadocia is such a change from visiting many other busy bustling sights all over Turkey. It is a great pleasure to wander in the vast open space filled with captivating natural attractions which have seen human history dated back in the Bronze Age.
While in Goreme Open Air Museum , the conical formations resulting from the volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago, just follow the path up to the top of one of the ridges where a spectacular view of the fairy chimneys awaits you. The natural cone formations contain caves and labyrinths. As early as the third century, those chimneys became a hiding place for early Christians who fled persecution from the Romans, and then later from raiding Muslims. In modern tourism, many caves have been turned into cave houses for tourist stays and the lunar-like setting of Goreme Valley has become popular for hot-air ballooning.
Many say the extremely unique landscape of Cappadocia resembles some scene in a Star Wars movie and yet you may be surprised to discover that no major commercial movies have been filmed there. It would be a perfect setting for movies such as Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter series.
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My travel guide listed Zelve as a thing to see but not as nice as Goreme museum… well the difference is that in Goreme you have to see, in Zelve you have to do! And this was much more fun for me. If you have your own car it is better, because the bus just leaves you at the beginning…
Amazing scenery and an opportunity to get inside the caves. Rather crowded and groups only get 3 minutes in the key chapels, so make sure your guide can talk fast.
15 TL to enter underground city and 20 TL for tour guide. It was well worth it to have a better understanding of who lived there, why, and how long. Apperently, out of the 32 underground cities this is one of four open to public.
I loved all of the Churches. The condition of the frescoes is amazing. The experience was enhanced by having a knowledgeable guide to explain the meaning.
The Rose Valley walk was amazing but not very well sign posted. Most of the time you are not sure if you are on the Rose or Red Valley walk. But definitely worth seeing.
Ancient Halys River (Kizilirmak River). The Halys River is the chief river of Anatolia, it rises in the Anti-Taurus mountain range and flows 734 miles into the Black Sea.
Kizil-Irmak River the greatest river of Asia Minor, rising in the Anti-Taurus range of mountains, on the borders of Armenia Minor and Pontus, and after flowing through Cappadocia and Galatia, and dividing Paphlagonia from Pontus, falling into the Euxine Sea between Sinopé and Amisus. In early times it divided the Indo-European races which peopled the western part of Asia Minor from the Semitic (Syro-Arabian) races of the rest of southwest Asia; and it separated the Lydian Empire from the Medo-Persian.
Our first activity in Göreme and a great introduction to the area. It was a nice little walk from town and the view is amazing.
Parking cost money. The entrance fee was 10TL plus extra for the audio head set (which is ok). However, when we got in, two of the main churches were closed. The other main attraction, the Dark Church, required an additional entrance fee. Felt a little ripped off from the whole experience.
Worth a trip but go early to avoid 15 minute line ups at every church. Groups galore crowd the place. Guards keep you to 3 minutes per cave. Bring a guide book as there's not much info inside the caves.
be prepared for lots of hiking and very poorly marked trails but the sites are worth every meter of walking