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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One of the most interesting site in cappadoccia region – A must see.
The whol idea of living underground and building 8 stories with bedrooms, community kitchens, church and cellars, it is unimaginable engineering this site. It is quite narrow and dark in some places and could be quite uncomfortable however if you can , do visit.
Mustafapasa is no different, except in this town the warrens of grottos are hidden behind statuesque neo-classical façades. Unmistakably Hellenic in style, the town is celebrated throughout the region for the ornate carved stonework of these beautiful houses. On some, a date or name has been embroidered into the decorative stonework in Greek letters; subtle clues that allude to the thriving Greek Orthodox community of wealthy merchants who settled in the town in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
The tour groups that whizz through the town invariably pause to take snapshots of Mustafapasa’s magnificent Greek houses. In a landscape where many villages seem to evanesce into the amber cliffs at a distance, retreating into the dramatic rock formations until only the hollowed mouths of windows and doors remain, such calculated ornamentation is an arresting sight.
However, moving past the relative bustle of the town square, it becomes clear that very few of these old Greek houses are occupied. The vast majority have been left to the mercy of the weather for decades. Doors hang off their hinges, revealing vacant interiors devoid of life, bar the stray cats that wander freely through the barren rooms and open staircases.
The hotel my husband and I stayed in was similarly inscrutable. A rambling sandy-coloured maze of a place, the Monastery Cave Hotel’s smooth exterior belies a multilayered labyrinth of sunny terraces and small cave rooms. Until recently, these atmospheric rooms were used as monks’ cells and the corridor walls are peppered with shallow coves blackened by candle flame.
I have been to Goreme National Park on many trips to Turkey. It is simply not to be missed. It is one of my favorite places on earth. It is the most incredible and unusual and beautiful landscape. I highly recommend staying in the village of Goreme, because walking to many areas of the park is very easy from here….
Very interesting and well worth a visit, though not as extensive as we had hoped. It is worth it to hire a guide when you get there (although they seem to be quite expensive), as there is almost no posted information.
it's amazing place . you will see more church from 6 and 7 century . I could recommend early morning going there because during day it's very crowded .
Also not need to any guide , you could take audio guide for visit .
amazing views, breath – taking sunset, 4th century churches hidden in the rocks; not to difficult but you need proper hiking shoes
Honestly, I was not impressed. I stood in lines to see in the churches. After the first two or three they were all the same. If you have seen byzantine artwork on churches before, don't bother. If you do go, make sure to see the church down the hill, as it was the best one. (Or, you could just walk…
A lovely place to visit. Worth the trip to take a walk around
Wonderful historical landscape of ancient times, audio tour is well worth it, for the description of each landmark
Very interesting. The tour guide was very knowledgeable.