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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What a fantastic experience, you go 30m under ground and through 2 very low tunnels that are also quite narrow, my husband had a backpack on and really battled. Well worth the effort though. We were there in Jan 2013, lots of snow and quite beautiful.
Goreme Open Air Museum charges you 15 lira so you can see some underground churches, but the rest of the site is plain, and nothing unique from what you will see by exploring other sites in Cappadocia.
The national park is as magical as the rest of Cappadocia. Full of ancient churches and greenery. Must stop at the tiny shack on the way to the exit. sit on swans in the middle of the river and have some turkish tea.
The churches and cave homes at the open air museum are just amazing – well worth the entrance fee. The "Dark Church" isn't really worth the extra 7 TL to see a more-restored church than the others – seeing the large one at the entrance to the site is equally impressive and it's included in the ticket price. After visiting…
It's hard to believe that people used to live there. It's a great place to visit. Pictures are amazing. Worth going.
We got to Pigeon Valley at the end of a tour…At first glance, standing next to the Viagara Market (yes, that is it's name) it doesn't look like more than a regular valley…with pidgeons. Hence, the name. But once you hike down, you follow a trail that takes you literally through the heart of this valley.
There are thousands of pigeon houses that have been carved into the rocks and have been here for thousands of years.Pigeons are a source of food and fertilizer (droppings). The more pigeons you had the richer you were.
It was an experience unlike anything I've experienced before. I visited in February so there was snow on the tops of the hills. The air was crisp and clean. It is amazing to think that the area was once fully occupied by residents!
We visited Derinkuyu Underground City, which was full of narrow stone tunnels and steps that go down. It has a long history, apparently going back 4,000 years, includes some period where it was used by Christians.
If you're claustrophobic, have breathing difficulties, or have related allergies then you won't be able to make it here.
Pigeon Valley walk is one of the easiest and nicest you could do while staying in Göreme. We did not do all the valley but walked until Uchisar, which is also a nice place to visit. Just before Uchisar there is a lovely little tea garden where you can have some tea and cookies.