Cappadocia, Turkey - Land of Wonders

Humans first set foot in the region about 10,000 yearschurch is the largest one in the region, it was built in the
ago. Then, from 3,500 to 1,200 BC Cappadocia was abeginning of the 10th century. Decorated with a cycle
part of a powerful Hittite state. Phrygians took overcontaining the life of Jesus, it is located right in the town
the administration in the 8th century BC. Five hundredof Goreme. The Karanlik church, also located in
years later they were replaced by Persians.Goreme is among best preserved in Cappadocia with
Alexander the Great occupied the territory in 333 BC.lively paintings depicting the consecration of Jesus, the
Cappadocia's past history includes being a RomanLast Supper, the Crucifixion and the apostles. The
state, a part of the Byzantine Empire, a place whereEskigumus rock cut monastery (close to the town of
many early Christian saints including St.Paul found aNigde) is the only one where you can see a frescoe
shelter, where they lived and taught. Finally,with smiling Virgin Mary.
Cappadocia has become a noticable region of modernRecent discovery of the monastery in 1963 allowed it
Turkey with predominant importance of agriculture andto escape vandalism to which many of the
tourism.Cappadocian churches and monasteries were
WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE: Fairy Chimneys weresubjected. Well-preserved wall paintings decorate the
created as a result of wind and water erosion whenspacious main church are known to be one of the
small harder pieces of rock remained on top of largerbest examples of the Byzantine art in all of
and softer rock columns. This out-of-this-worldCappadocia.
landscape impressed George Lucas so much that hisOther attractions in the area include but not limited to:
original plan was to shoot some Star Wars' episodes- museums in Aksaray, Nevsehir, Goreme, Nigde,
in this area. Located in a spectacular valley betweenKayseri;
towns of Nevseshir and Urgup there are very- fortress of Ortahisar, the spectacular Devrent Valley;
different, interesting fairy chimneys. UNESCO declared- Seljuk history relics such as Karatay Madrasah,
the area a World Heritage Site. Some of the fairymany mosques and caravansaries in Konya;
chimneys have been inhabited for many years, with- hot springs in Nar-Golu and Guzelyurt where also one
rooms, windows and staircases being laboriouslyof the oldest existing churches in the area- Kizil Kilise
curved inside creating up to 5-storey structures inside.(Red Church) is located, a 6th century artifact;
Today some of these are also providing services to- mountain climbing and mountain skiing at the Erciyes
tourism as pensions. The largest of 36 undergroundDagi mountain (3916m above sea level);
cities in the area is at Derinkuyu. It is at a distance of- hot air ballooning.
29 km from Nevsehir, the provincial center of 7,000WHEN TO GO: Cappadocia has a steppe climate,
people. Derinkuyu underground city is located under athere is a great temperature difference between day
hill, was found by chance and opened to the public inand night. The average temperature is +23 deg.C (73
1965. It covers a 4 square km area and wasF) in summer and -2 deg.C (28 F) in winter. It is cooler
calculated as able to shelter 2,000 households on 7and drier than in the popular tourist areas of the
floors beneath the surface, reaching a depth of 70 toMediterranean and the Aegean coasts. April to middle
85 meters.of June and September-October are the best months
Archeologists tend to believe that the Hittites were theto visit.
starters of the underground communities which in theGETTING THERE: Ankara, the Turkey's capital city is
6th and 7th were expanded by early Christians into aonly 350km away. You will find all necessary local
very extensive complexes with air shafts, kitchens,contact phone numbers, price quotes and dining
living quarters, churches, water wells, horse stables andrecommendations by following these links: Goreme -
wine cellars. These elaborate subterranean systemsNevsehir. Tours to Cappadocia are offered by almost
were used by the people who had acceptedall travel agencies in Turkey, although they are all too
Christianity against their enemies both as a shelter andshort allowing you just enough time for brief
as a safe place to carry out their worship. Next largestsightseeing. Tour guides tend to spend too much of
underground city is at Kaymakly, 20 km from Nevsehir.your time at local pottery and carpet shops. We
Despite of the fact that only four underground levelsrecommend you to rent a car in Ankara (usually $
have been excavated, there are speculations that75-100 USD/day) and drive to Cappadocia on your
there can be as many as 11 in total. There is also aown, or put together a little group and hire a minivan
tunnel that connects the underground cities oftogether with a local driver/travel guide (a car and
Kaymakli and Derinkuyu (9 km long!) that has a widthdriver would cost you $85- 135 USD/day).
of of over 2 meters, but unfortunatley it is not openedTRAVEL TIPS: Local travel books, information
to the public as parts of the tunnel have collapsed.booklets are available on the spot in Cappadocia's
Among other significant underground communities intowns. If travelling on your own, a detailed road map
the region we should mention the undergroundwould definitely be a must to buy before leaving home.
monastery of Ozkonak and the Tatlarin undergroundModest clothes are suggested for women. The rural
city with existing Christian frescoes. Rock cut ChristianTurkey's culture is conservative and immodest clothing
churches. It is estimated that over 400 Christian(short skirts, shorts, tight clothing) can invite unwanted
churches, chapels and monasteries were built inattention. Do not forget a sun hat, sun protecting lotion,
Cappadocia during the Byzantine period until the 13thcomfortable shoes. Plan ahead to spend at least two
century. Most of them were hollowed out in fairyfull days in the area.
chimneys, hills and in underground caves. The TokaliWe wish you a nice and safe trip!