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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The open air museum was worth seeing while you are in Goreme but temper your enthusiasm.
We went there on a Lonely Planet recommendation and, while the museum was interesting, it was very crowded, you could not take any pictures (including non-flash pictures) and you had to pay extra for the Dark Chapel (which you should not miss – it…
It's a lovely valley with some dramatic views and can be walked in under an hour. Get the hotel to take you to the top near Uchisar and walk back down through the valley to Goreme. Wear good walking shoes with good grip, some steep descents that are gritty and can be slippy under foot.
Go to Göreme to see the Fairy Chimneys rock formations. It contains well preserved rock-cut churches, with frescoes in tact. The Goreme Open Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is well worth your time to visit this amazing place.
You pay just a little to see all those churches, dormitory and kitchen. It is amazing how they are so alive for centuries.Don't miss the dark church.
We visited this underground complex as part of a one day tour from Goreme. It was one of the things we were most looking forward to and we were not disappointed. We had a lot of fun wondering around underground and I am just amazed that a group of people took the time and effort to build it.
The museum is an amazing part of history and has been very well preserved. However if you are on a tight budget, you can witness the wonderful churches strolling through the valleys and it will cost you nothing. Just ask any local and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
Great place!! a must see. The underground city where people hid for days at a time. Many stories under the ground. The water cistern, ventilation shaft, praying chamber, kitchen, torture chamber, animal shed, stone doors-all well planned and laid out systematically.
Not recommended for the claustrophobic or very obese.
And well worth the extra uphill and fee to see "black church" with its stunning murals.
It is just like being in the badlands of Montana or Alberta. Layered rock structures are amazing and the history of pigeon raising is intriguing. All of these are nothing compared to seeing the cave homes ancient people built or the ancient 8th/12th century christian secret churches. The Frescos are unbelievable.
Its about man kind and beginning of man kind in the caves and how well in kept with good guides that we had its a must that all must see .to protect from enemies / sun / show ect !