Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) is about mid-way between Goreme and Avanos, on the road to Zelve. ” The valley got its name because monks used to take refuge here.” Pasabag Valley is more commonly referred to, an area that’s noted for its fairy. The unusual moon-like landscape with its extraordinary formations. If you’re wondering why these unusual rock formations are called fairy chimneys, it’s because the early inhabitants of Cappadocia believed that these were the chimneys for the fairies who lived under the ground.
Pasabag Valley has the best collection of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. In this area you can see a few different types of fairy chimneys the elongated fairy chimneys look like giant asparagus or Japanese king trumpet mushrooms and then there are those that are pedestal shape with broader bases. The cone shape fairy chimney, is a chimney that has lost its cap due to erosion.
Cappadocia had become a thriving monastic community by the 4th century and St Simeon was one of the many monks who came to Cappadocia. It seemed that rumours had got around that he could perform miracles and he came to Cappadocia to escape the attention. He lived as a hermit in the upper reaches inside one of the 15-metre high fairy chimneys with his disciples and only descended occasionally to get food and drink brought by his disciples. A hermit’s shelter and a chapel dedicated to St. Simeon has been built into one of the fairy chimneys and you can visit the inside of this fairy chimney and climb to the top.
Visiting Pasabag Valley is such a change from visiting the many hectic Turkish cities and it’s a pleasure to wander in the open space amongst these nature-created attractions. For a spectacular view of Pasabag Valley and its army of the fairy chimneys, follow the path up to the top of a ridge, it’s very peaceful and the view is absolutely stunning.
The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps.
The fairy chimneys here were mostly mushroom shaped. Many more of these exist on this site than the others. If you ask me, they looked like private parts of the male anatomy. Either way, they were stunning and certainly worth the visit. Many opportunities for cool pictures here.
Nestled at the base of the mountain looking out across the plain at Avanos, these are the mythic fairy chimneys of the postcards. With giant mushroom heads, they invite the obvious phallic comparisons, but if you can get past that, they are extremely picturesque. Admission was supposed to cost lira 8, but we couldn't find anyone to pay and just…
Beautiful landscapes, beautiful history. Wandering around the site, in and out of the hollowed out rooms is an experience not to be missed. Imagining you were one of the creators of the dwellings and living there at the time is mind boggling.
A nice spot to snap photos of the so called fairy chimneys (to most people they look a lot like some thing else. The only problem with this place is there is little in the way of markings or explanation as to what you are seeing, so if you are not on a guided tour and are interested in the…
ıf you want to see more fairy chimneys really good experience this valley. Also you could a little walk around the chimneys .
Best collection of fairy chimneys and completely free….do not miss.
Downside quite commercial. Upside well worth the walk around to see the uneven wear on the rock and the topstones and the smooth areas of water? erosion.
Our kids (5 and 8) loved Cappadocia. In Pasabag we ran around and explored. My husband climbed up to the plain above and said it looked like an inviting place to hike, but time didn't allow for that. Well worth the stop.
there are magnifacant fairy chimneys which settle around the pasabağ and there are some vineyards. the people who works there are so kind and I Recommend everyone.
We arrived by walking from the Goreme-Urgup Road, but didn't hang around for long. There are far too many tour buses and crowds, touts and tourists shops etc for there to be any hope of enjoyment. And anyway there are much better examples of the fairy chimney landscape feature in the neighbourhood – in particuar near Goreme, in the Love…