Cappadocia Turkey
This is a land where reality mingles with fantasy. Once there, you are surrounded by exquisite geographical formations what what the locals call ”fairy chimneys’ ungerground cities, rock-carved churches and cave hotels.
Cappadocia is the name of the triangular region that boast mainly volcanic aspects due to the three volcanic mountains araound - Erciyes, Hasan and Melendiz. It is a land full of suprises for its first time visitors and for those who enjoy discovering hidden corners. Capadocia Valley can be explored by car, by bike or by a scooter. This is a huge valley full of corners that are waiting to be explored. Here your eyes will feast at the marvellous geographic formations. You can choose to stay either in Uçhisar, or in Ürgüp or in Göreme, which are the places that offer best accommodation facilities.
Uçhisar, located at the skirts of the highest fairy chimney around, is originally a Stone Age settlement. A natural castle overlooking the valley, Uçhisar is 10 kilometres to Nevşehir city centre. Uçhisar Peak is the most attractive point of the whole region, full of fascinating cave-like formations all around.
Lying on the skirts of Uçhisar is Güvercinlik Valley (the valley of pigeons), which has been home to thousands of pigeons for many years. Signs of birds settlement can be seen on the rocks which has many holes carved in-basically the nests. The Christians, who abided here throughout the eighth and ninth centuries, used pigeon manure to fertilize the soil. As the land is formed due to volcanic activity and completely covered with volcanic rocks, the soil is not fertile at all. Therefore, the people of the land were driven to grow pigeons for their manure. They could easily carve holes in the rocks and thus provide shelter for pigeons, which they needed for the sake of their living.
The valley has many tunnels that are carved naturally by underground rivers. Most of these tunnels that are carved naturally by underground rivers. Most of these tunnels are easy to walk along even on the back of a horse. It is perfect for lingering and taking time for watching around or shooting photographs. There are several points on the three-kilometres road between Uçhisar and Göreme that allows you to have a bird’s eye view of Uzundere and Avcılar Valleys.
Mysterious Monasteries
Göreme, one kilometres to the village, is rich in rock-carved churches and monasteries. Today, you can still see the fresco paintings on the walls of these churches, built between 7th and 12th centuries. The most important of these churches that are worthwhile for a visit are Karanlık, Tokalı and El Nazar.
Karanlık Church is covered with fresco paintings that still boast the lively colours even hundreds of years later. Another village is Çavuşin on the road to Avanos from Göreme. This is where John the Baptist Church and abandoned cave houses are to be seen.
But, the most romantic stop of this journey will be Kızılçukur Valley-a perfect spot to watch the sunset or full moon. Only accessible through a pathway, Kızılçukur Valley invites you to experience at least one of these sights by sipping the red wine that is peculiar to Cappadocia.
Before getting to Avanos, you come across two important sites Paşabağ Valley and Zelve. You can observe the formation process of fairy chimneys in Paşabağ Valley; and in Zelve, you can witness more cave houses like the ones in Göreme.
Potteryi which is a tradition handed down by Hitties to he following generations on the region, is producced to a large extent in Avanos - entrance to the village is adorned with a huge statue of potter. Avanos is one of the oldest dwelling sites of Capadoccia region.
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