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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A must see definitly!! Once you're in Capadoccia, do not forget your camera. It rather go early than late. Lots of tourists, not good to take pictures.
You can see the whole valley from the Uchisar village and castle but it's worth going through the valley as a trekking trip if you have time.
Anyplace you go to in Cappadocia and in particular Goreme is truly amazing! Pigeon Valley and hike through Ihlara Valley was tranquil and truly beautiful. Loved the creek running through the valley.
There isn't really much in Uchisar, apart from the guy who charges one lira to take a picture of his camel. But the "castle" is worth ten minutes of your time if only to try a comprehend it. Rising high above the smaller cave dwellings, it is an ancient skyscraper with caves dug in to it high above the ground….
The Snake Church, with Snake on Left.
the cave dwellings are a good day trip for day on your departure from Cappadocia because they do not take much time to tour.
I was surprised to learn that these caves were used as home dwellings till the year 1951! One might say that these caves are like any other caves lime Ajanta and Ellora but would strongly disagree…
really cool! Was a bit concerned that it might be damp – but no problem. Our cave had a turkish hamman. What more could you ask for.
The open museum of the Goreme valley is important to get to know the communities Christian 200 b.c.. Then the underground cities with an guide, Selcuk Senkan.
Superb and unmissable! First instinct was to think of damp smells, bats and insects!
Amazingly clean and excellent preservation of this underground site which goes down several floors, but only a sampler of floors is permitted! NO Insects and lots of foto-op cave carve outs!!
It was exciting to see a very special village hidden in an amazing geological formation. Soft volcanic dust was compressed into soft rock, which hundreds of years ago were carved and dug into to make churches, monasteries, houses, pigeons' nest etc for people taking refuge from persecution. Because of the remoteness of the area and the dryness, this area has…