Why
Cappadocia
in Turkey is special

Cappadocia in Turkey has a surreal landscape fashioned by ancient floods and winds that partially eroded a volcanic based plateau. This process created numerous fanciful formations including the conical towers nicknamed fairy chimneys (see photo).

Cappadocia
tips and insights

Sightseeing

Viewing these fanciful formations inside, up close, and from afar gives you the impression that you are on a far-flung moon.

Dwellings and churches

The Cappadocia rock formations are relatively soft textured. This attribute led to habitation, which peaked in the 10th and 11th centuries.

 

Settlers

Fleeing persecuted people (mainly early Christians) carved dwellings and churches into the formations.

Communities

The new arrivals also dug into the many canyon cliff walls to produce multi-story communities reached only by ladders, steep foot paths and treacherous footholds.

You can sleep in the rooms

Today, some Cappadocia inns rent the primitive rooms (with modern amenities added). I got a thrill sleeping in one, realizing that it was hollowed out by its earliest inhabitant nearly a thousand years ago.

Derinkuyu

Cappadocia offers a host of other interesting experiences, including touring the underground city of Derinkuyu.

Why it was built

Local inhabitants temporarily hid in the subterranean Derinkuyu while invading armies marched overhead.

Complexity

This human warren has intricate room mazes going down eight levels. Concealed wells, air shafts and food supplies made it self-sufficient for long durations.

Location in Turkey

More Turkey tips and insights

In Istanbul

Basilica Cistern
Blue Mosque
Dolmabahce Palace
Grand Bazaar
Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace

In other Turkey areas

Antalya
Bodrum
Cappadocia
Divrigi
Ephesus Ruins
Hierapolis
Mount Ararat
Nemrut Dagi
Pamukkale
Pergamon Acropolis
Ruins of Troy

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