CAPPADOCIA

The region now known as Cappadocia embodies the world renowned travel destinations of Urgup, Goreme, Avanos, Uchisar, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli and Ihlara. It harnesses an attractive area occupied by ethereal rocky formations, underground churches and houses, presenting an extremely huge plain on the scale. The Region is famous for the red pottery products of Avanos, as well as the woven carpets and rugs and wines. Cappadocia provided a home, a safe shelter for first followers of Christianity, who escaped from bloody tyrants of ancient times, by choosing to take cover and lead lives under the earth and praying all the time. There are approximately 3000 rock-carved churches in the region, all of which are not yet open to the general public.

The town settlement of Goreme lies right in the heart of the regional travel industry and hosts a vast majority of people who still prefer to live in cave houses, some of which have recently been converted into lodging houses for hospitalising travellers. The area is best known to the rest of the world with its gorgeous rock formations so called “Fairy Chimneys”, randomly distributed all around the land.

To the west of Nigde lies the Ihlara Valley, a 10 km long and approximately 80 metres wide impressive passage. Trekking is a popular sport across the region and 12 out of 60 churches, including the sonorous Egritas Church, are open to visits by the public. 

The region hosts hundreds of underground cities. The most notable among these are the two underground cities, namely Kaymakli, which is organized in 8 layers of rock and Derinkuyu, which gets as deep as 55 metres into the ground. All these cities were built and used by followers of the Christian faith, who managed to erect a self-sufficient shelter that encompasses various bedrooms, kitchens and warehouses, after having escaped from tyranny during the 7th century A.D.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans, and later the Hatti, were completely enchanted by the allure of Cappadocia and left traces of their very existence therein such as the major historical trade routes like the Silk Road, which combines east, west, north and south together. As a result of this dense traffic, the region had become a complicated network of historical and cultural impacts. Cappadocia was once a place where different philosophies tend to exercise influence over one another, after coming into contact.  The Churches and houses embezzled with rock-engraved frescoes extend towards the Ihlara Valley which is located 40 km far from Aksaray and 14 km far from Selime village. Some of these structures are dated to the 4th century A.D. by historians. Egritas, Agacalti, Kokar, Yilanli, Purenli, Kirkdamalti, Ala, Direkli, Kale Manastiri Church and Semime Cathedral are the most notable locations worth of visiting, among a variety of intriguing destinations. 


Cappadocia has a vital role and strategic importance, owing to her geographical location. As the trades and resources in Cappadocia became highly charming, the region experienced invasions, pillages and ruthless attacks in most of the times, throughout the history. In an effort to protect themselves against such pillages, the locals started to live in caves of the region, the entrances of which could easily be hidden from sight, to make themselves vanish from the eyes of trouble-making strangers.  This was primarily for getting lost from plain sight for a long period of time, but, the cave houses gradually turned into underground cities complete with water sources, food storages, wineries and temples, over time. Some of these date back before Christianity. 


PLACES THAT MUST BE SEEN

Uçhisar

The town Uchisar is a land of irresistible beauty located seven kilometres far from Nevsehir, with a magnificent view.  Looking down from atop the high cliffs of Uchisar Fortress will instantly reveal the unmatched, sumptuous landscape of the entire region.

Goreme

Located at a distance of ten kilometres to Nevsehir, Goreme and her vicinity is presumed to have been used as a graveyard during the Roman rule, by the people of Avanos. Goreme region is generally considered as a “centre of faith”. This is because that it is believed to be the location where the scholar system that integrates all ideologies of Christianity of Saint Buyuk and his brothers had arisen, which also hosts an outdoor museum.   The architectural details and frescoes ornamenting the walls of Tokali Church, Monastery of Monks and Nuns, the St. Basil’s Chapel and Elmali, Yilanli and Carikli Churches appear as vivid and fresh as they were newly built.

Urgup

Located close to the settlement centre of Goreme Urgup is a pretty little town famous for its wines, as well as its historical places and natural beauties. Having a service of wine in a rustic bowl or elegant crystal goblet would prove to be an ever-forgettable experience for any guest. While certain local wineries have recently adopted modern ways in wine production, others still remain loyal to ancient and time-proven techniques. 

Mustafapasha

Located six kilometres south of Urgup, Mustafapasha (a.k.a. Sinasos) has a righteous reputation with its superb masonry works. The St. Basil’s Chapel is decorated with lines that reflect the iconoclastic system of thought. In Avanos, which is 18 kilometres distant from Nevsehir, the ancient pottery tradition is persevered, since its original times during the Hittite period.