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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we didn't actually hike thru the valley but it (mesa at top)was a great picture-taking venu & general vistas showed detail that you cannot see from below
You can see domed structures that get higher towards the top of the rock as well as praying buildings, monks cave and shelters among the houses. They look like an ant colony looking from above. Saint Baptist Monastery, which is one of the oldest building in Cappadocia, is hidden among the rocks here. It is an enormous basilica carved in the top part of the rock. Cavusin Church is beside Goreme-Avanos road, 4 km far from Goreme.
All that you can see at the open air museum you can see for free if you walk from Rose (Red) valley following the well worn paths to the sword valley. Here the valley walls close inwards in a spectacular fashion. This makes the walk more interesting, ladders are strategically placed allowing the sure footed and able bodied easy access…
You are able to get a fantastic view of the entire valley with some good exercize while you are at it.
Fascinating site. Unfortunately the best parts required paying an extra fee once you were in the park.
entrance is 8 tl. worth to visit. churches and houses in the caves. 15 km from urgup.
I walked around for three hours in the hot sun with my mouth hanging open. This place is astounding. One of the churches has an extra entrance fee, in addition to the museum fee, but it is definitely worth every cent.
Goreme Open Air Museum. (15TL + 8 TL for the Dark Church)
About a 20 minute walk from Goreme village, this outdoor museum is definitely worth a visit. There are some amazing Byzantine frescoes and churches inside these caves. Make sure you pay the extra to see the "Dark Church"
After you exit the museum, definitely check out the Buckle…
We visit this valley as part of a tour, so we were not able to walk its full length. Nevertheless, the part we saw was very pretty and the churches were great. We were very glad that we were able to visit this valley
Beautiful churches with amazing, preserved frescoes. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures even without flash. Also, the Dark church has a separate entrance fee.