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 got to see all the stages of the intricate pottery process including master potters decorating some of the pieces. At the end there was a shop and I noticed a person from the shop accopanied each couple or person but no hard sell or intrusion unless asked. Prices here for pieces we bought elsewhere were about the same though…
We didn't walk through the valley as such but walked around the little stalls and watched the pigeons. The Jewellery store across the road had some amazing although expensive pieces. A must see as there are rooms and rooms filled with different themed jewellery. You can buy an "evil eye" pendant and hang it on the wishing tree that overlooks…
Much preferred it to Göreme open air museum, which we did as part of a tour and was too crowded for true enjoyment. An employee of our hotel in Ürgüp took us to Zelve and at our request came back 2 h later so we had plenty of time to explore all three valleys, loved it.
I came to this region for the lovely rock formations, cave dwellings, and interesting history. The rock is soft a kind of tuffa limestone. When Roman and subsequent invaders came the locals and especially early Christians (who were hunted n exterminated) built homes, churches and entire cities (including stables) in this area.
This pretty valley at the foot of the Uchisar province (up on a hill) is a great place to pull over for photos on your way to Uchisar (a likely place you will stay if you visit Cappadocia). We also flew over this valley in a hot air balloon. Its full of fairy chimneys and other rock formations and probably…
This castle show Man made rock curved houses inside mountains
We visit Zelve before going to Avanos at that afternoon. The sun was perfectly set with awesome color as always. This place is really cool, with many different form of stones, you can just walk in the outside if don't want to go inside (no need to pay if you're outside). History blend with nature landscape create a unique shape…
An amazing place, reportedly first established in the third century and development mostly after the 11th century, it is not to be missed. I would recommend the audio tour versus a guided tour just so that you won't be rushed. Absolutely pay the extra eight lira to see the dark church (Which is perfectly lit). The frescoes and there are…
This is just an over look that doesn't really offer much except a view of some old structures carved into the stone that housed pigeons. Apparently pigeons were popular to carry messages and the white of their eggs was used in the cement mixture to plaster the cave dwellings, or so we were told by our guide.
Great place but crowded, you can experience caves, churches and fantastic landscape without the crowds if your travel to other small areas and do short hikes almost anywhere within the valley. The church in Cavusin was a much finer example of this and much cheaper without crowds. The whole area is an open-air museum.