Cappadocia
Cappadocia is an ancient and historical region near the town of Göreme, Turkey. This region, also known as Cappadocia, is a historical town, and the name of this region is famous as a historical and ancient place. Cappadocia and Göreme are located in Nevşehir province in central Turkey on the Anatolian Plateau. This region is known as a tourist center, recognized among tourists for its colorful hot air balloon flights and natural phenomena called fairy chimneys.
The Cappadocia region is mountainous, and many of its hotels and accommodations that host tourists are built into the mountains. Cappadocia is a historical region in Turkey that is highly regarded and of interest to tourists and archaeologists alike. This region boasts a long history and is one of the few stone cities in the world. Cappadocia is known as one of the three rock cities in the world, where these rocks were formed by the volcanic activities of the mountains in this region. There are eight different stories told about the underground tunnel complex of Cappadocia. If I were to write all these stories, it would probably be tedious. It is suggested to read the rest of the travel guide to Cappadocia to get the idea of traveling to this amazing region, and ask the locals about these stories yourself. Cappadocia is an ancient city in the semi-arid region of central Anatolia in Turkey. This region was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Cappadocia in Turkish means the Land of Beautiful Horses.
History of Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical and ancient region in Turkey that was mentioned as part of the Achaemenid Empire during the reigns of Darius I and Xerxes. Some believe that the name “Cappadocia” is also an Iranian name. At that time, this region was a satrapy or an autonomous province, and in later periods, it was recognized as an independent kingdom. Over time, Cappadocia has been under various rulers, including the Roman Byzantines and then the Ottomans. Today, this region is known as a pristine and tourist area.
The history of Cappadocia begins with the Hittites, around 1800 to 1200 BC, under the name “Hatti”. During this period, the territory of the Hittite rule was located in the Hattusa region, and the construction of strong buildings was ordered by the rulers of this period. Historical buildings from this era are still recognized as attractions in Cappadocia today. With the passage of time and change of governments, Cappadocia has become various things, including a border between great empires like Persia and Greece, hence the greater importance of security and concealment in this area for the people living there. For this reason, they started digging the ground and building underground cities that still remain today and are presented as one of the interesting features of Cappadocia.
During the Christian era, Cappadocia became a sanctuary for persecuted Christians; in the 4th century, Christians fleeing persecution by the Roman government took refuge in this region and from there proceeded to establish Christian communities. This historical period led to the creation of many architectural and religious works in Cappadocia that are still visible today, including churches and monasteries with Byzantine frescoes. From the early Bronze Age, i.e., around 1836 AD (Note: This date is historically inaccurate for the Bronze Age), this region was known by the name “Hatti”, and at that time, castles and strong buildings were built that are recognized today as historical and scenic buildings of this region. The Cappadocia region has always been one of the popular tourist destinations in Turkey and attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Climate of Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a four-season city where it rains in all seasons except summer. In spring and autumn, the weather in Cappadocia is very pleasant, and you can enjoy the natural and cultural beauties of this region. In winter, the temperature in Cappadocia is usually between zero and minus 5 degrees Celsius, and snowfall also occurs, but despite this, tourist tours are still held in this season, and many tourists travel to this region.
For traveling to Cappadocia in spring, autumn, or winter, it is better to bring one or two sets of warm clothes to have enough protection against the cold. Also, you can take the opportunity of traveling in these seasons to see the natural landscapes of Cappadocia and explore its historical and cultural sites. Based on the seasonal information of Cappadocia, you can plan your trip to this region appropriately and enjoy all its beauties.
Culture and Customs of Cappadocia
Due to Turkey’s special geographical location, the culture of this country has become a unique blend of Asian and European cultures. Turks are generally very warm-hearted people and like to care about their family and community. These characteristics make you enjoy their social nature and good manners and get closer to their culture when you travel to Turkey. Turks are proud of their history and culture and enjoy talking about these topics. They adhere to the teachings of Islam and prefer to preserve the traces of Islamic traditions in all their beliefs and interests. Besides, they have a special attachment to the Turkish language and often do not know English well or prefer to speak Turkish, which indicates their close connection with their mother tongue and culture. Turkey also hosts diverse and numerous cultures, benefiting from this diversity and inviting tourists to experience a cultural journey.
Attractions of Cappadocia
Cappadocia is one of the beautiful and scenic regions of Turkey that is always popular with tourists due to its numerous attractions. Below are some of the attractions of Cappadocia in brief:
1. -Kılıçlar Church (Karık Kilise):
This church is known for the footprint paintings at its entrance related to New Testament themes. The building dates back to the 12th century.
2. – Barbara Church:
The name of this church is taken from an Egyptian saint, and its architecture is similar to Kılıçlar Church. This church dates back to the second half of the 11th century and has beautiful paintings.
3. – Nun’s Monastery Church (Rahibeler Manastırı Kilisesi):
This church, with its unique and 7-story architecture, is popular with tourists and is located near the Göreme Open Air Museum.
4. – Apple Church (Elmalı Kilise):
With decorated walls and paintings dating back to the 12th century, this church refers to the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.
5. – Snake Church (Yılanlı Kilise):
The name of this church means snake, and it has paintings of saints slaying dragons.
6. – Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise):
Meaning “Dark Church”, this church is located inside a cave and has paintings from the New Testament.
7. Fairy Chimneys (Peri Bacaları):
Fairy chimneys are one of the natural and unique attractions of Cappadocia. These chimneys are formed due to the eruption of Mount Erciyes, Hasan Mountain, and other volcanoes. The deposition of lavas with different hardnesses on a large plateau has created beautiful valleys and fairy-like shapes. The conical shape of these chimneys adds a special beauty to the area, and by carving huge rock masses by locals, two and three-story houses have been built that add great charm and wonder to the landscapes of Cappadocia.
8. Eski Gümüşler Monastery:
Eski Gümüşler Monastery is one of the historical and cultural attractions of Cappadocia, located ten kilometers northeast of Niğde city. This monastery dates back to the 11th century and is one of the important and large monasteries in the region. Eski Gümüşler Monastery has architectural highlights and impressive carvings on the rocks that surprise many visitors. The carvings and paintings of this monastery possess great beauty and art and relate to religious, cultural, and historical themes. Also, the location of this monastery is close to beautiful natural areas such as valleys and unique rocks of Cappadocia, which allows visitors to enjoy the natural beauties of this region in addition to visiting the monastery. Eski Gümüşler Monastery, as an important example of architecture and art from the 11th century AD, has attracted much attention from tourists and those interested in the history and culture of the region and is considered one of the important tourist destinations of Cappadocia.
9. Göreme Village:
Göreme village is one of the very famous tourist attractions in the Cappadocia region, located in Turkey. This village is known as one of the most beautiful villages in the world and is always a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists due to its extraordinary natural landscapes. One of the prominent features of Göreme village is the hot air balloons that fly over the village every morning. These balloons, with the backdrop of Cappadocia’s amazing rocks and the blue sky, create a very spectacular and attractive view that attracts thousands of tourists every year. Göreme village is also known for its unique stone buildings. These buildings are often carved into the rocks and designed in various shapes and sizes. Also, some of the stone buildings in this village are used as hotels and restaurants, providing tourists with the experience of living inside a rock. Other attractions in Göreme village include visiting museums, local art workshops, and local markets that offer tourists the opportunity to get a closer look at the culture and life of the local people.
10. Red Valley (Kızıl Çukur Vadisi):
Red Valley or Kızıl Çukur Vadisi is one of the beautiful natural attractions in the Cappadocia region in Turkey. The name of this valley is derived from the red color of its rocks, which makes its landscape very attractive and beautiful. This valley is known for its red rocks and the abundance of natural forms and shapes in the stones. Red Valley has natural paths, hiking trails, and very beautiful natural landscapes that offer an extraordinary experience for nature and hiking enthusiasts. This valley becomes especially beautiful and attractive in spring and summer as the plants and beautiful flowers in these seasons give this area a beautiful color and scent. One of the prominent features of Red Valley is the wide variety of forms and colors of the rocks, which include everything from the simplest to the most complex and unique forms. Additionally, this valley has beautiful rock formations, natural beaches, and diverse vegetation that provide a scenic experience for tourists. Red Valley is also a popular area for photographers, as the natural landscapes and beautiful colors of the rocks serve as very attractive and unique photo subjects.
11. Love Valley (Aşk Vadisi):
Love Valley or Aşk Vadisi is located in the Cappadocia region in Turkey and has become one of the popular tourist destinations in this area due to its very beautiful and amazing landscapes. The name of this valley means “Love Valley” and was named after stories and legends related to that area. Love Valley is famous for its unique natural landscapes, especially at sunset, which becomes particularly attractive. Its shaped rocks and slopes, along with the various colors that change throughout the day, create a very beautiful and captivating view. Love Valley is a popular place for walking and watching natural landscapes in Cappadocia. Many tourists take advantage of this opportunity to walk in the calm and beautiful nature of Love Valley and take photos of its beautiful landscapes. Also, Love Valley is popular for its related stories and legends. These stories and legends are usually related to love and emotion, which are combined with the beauty of Love Valley’s landscapes, creating more attraction for tourists.
12. Zelve Open Air Museum:
Zelve Open Air Museum is an important tourist destination in the Cappadocia region in Turkey. This museum is located in the Zelve area and displays some of the oldest buildings and examples of art and history of Cappadocia. Zelve Open Air Museum includes buildings carved into the rocks that were living areas, churches, and places of worship for the ancient communities of Cappadocia. These buildings have remained from different historical periods, such as the Byzantine and Islamic periods, to the present day and attract the attention of tourists and those interested in the history and culture of the region.
Zelve Open Air Museum includes three main sections:
1. – Urban Life Section: In this section, buildings and facilities related to daily life in the ancient cities of Cappadocia are displayed. This includes houses, water sources, public spaces, and markets that have remained from different historical periods of Cappadocia.
2. -Religious Section: In this section, churches and areas related to worship and religion, including monasteries and sacred places, are displayed. These buildings feature frescoes and artworks related to different historical periods.
3. -Agricultural Section: This section showcases the way of life and agricultural activities in ancient times in the Cappadocia region. This includes tools and equipment related to agriculture, gardening, and animal husbandry from that era.
13. Underground Cities:
The underground cities in Cappadocia are recognized as one of the unique symbols of this region. These cities were built as secret and protected places for living during times when threats such as attacks from enemies and climate changes were possible. Attention to the underground architecture of these cities, living areas and food storage facilities, and their unique designs has made them particularly attractive to tourists and cultural researchers.
In Cappadocia, underground cities have remained from the Byzantine era and include cold storage rooms, residential rooms, various tunnels, water sources, and other special places built to hide from various attacks. These cities have different levels with connections such as tunnels and corridors for communication and movement within the city. The underground cities in Cappadocia, in addition to their special architecture and designs, offer exciting experiences for visitors. This experience includes observing the underground structures, getting acquainted with the underground lifestyle, and studying the history and culture of this underground region. Also, the experience of entering the tunnels and corridors of the underground cities creates a sense of adventure and special attraction for visitors.
Ways to reach Cappadocia:
1. -Flight to Kayseri Airport:
– If you are flying to Izmir, Istanbul, or Ankara, you can book a flight ticket to Kayseri Airport.
– Then you can buy Cappadocia tours and travel to the Cappadocia region with the tour transfer.
2. – Bus:
– Buses from different cities depart towards Cappadocia throughout the day.
– The travel time from each city to Cappadocia may vary. For example:
– From Istanbul: approximately 12 hours
– From Izmir: approximately 12 hours
– From Antalya: approximately 9 hours
– From Konya: approximately 5 hours
– From Bursa: approximately 11 hours
3. -Bursa:
– Bursa is also one of the scenic cities in Turkey that attracts many tourists.
– The sights of Bursa are so beautiful and scenic that they attract many people. Finally, depending on the route order and travel time, you can choose the method that offers the most convenience and compatibility with your travel plan.
Access to Cappadocia is possible through different routes, each having its advantages and disadvantages:
1. – Access by Plane:
– It is the best and fastest option for traveling to Cappadocia.
– You can book flight tickets from Nevşehir and Kayseri airports near the region.
– These airports transfer passengers from Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir to Cappadocia.
2. – Access by Train:
– This option is somewhat limited due to the lack of a passenger train network in Turkey.
– You can travel from Istanbul to Konya by train and then travel by bus to Cappadocia, which takes approximately 3 and a half hours.
3. – Access by Bus:
– If you take a bus from Istanbul, Izmir, or Ölüdeniz (Note: Ölüdeniz is far from Cappadocia and connections are unlikely to be direct or 9 hours), it may take up to 12 hours (from Istanbul) and about 9 hours (from the Pamukkale area) to reach Cappadocia.
– This method may take longer but usually has a relatively lower cost.
Depending on your priorities regarding speed, comfort, and price, you can choose one of these routes to travel to Cappadocia.
Exciting Activities in Cappadocia
1. -Hot Air Ballooning and Watching the Sunrise:
– Every year, over 500,000 people ride in Cappadocia’s hot air balloons over Pigeon, Red, Uçhisar, and Love valleys.
– The movement of dozens of colorful balloons in the sky creates a beautiful and astonishing scene of ballooning.
– Be prepared for weather changes and changes in flight schedules.
2. -Hiking in the City’s Unique Valleys:
– Hiking in the amazing valleys of Cappadocia offers you a unique experience of touching nature.
– The hiking trails of Red Valley and Rose Valley are suitable choices for watching the amazing landscapes and beautiful nature of this area.
– You can experience the charming and rich landscapes of this area on various routes, including Pigeon Valley and Love Valley.
3. -Cappadocia Horseback Riding Tour:
– If you are interested in horseback riding and enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Cappadocia, you can participate in a horseback riding tour.
– One-day or multi-day horseback riding tours with a professional guide are available to you and offer you the opportunity to see the wonderful landscapes of this area.
4. -Göreme Open Air Museum:
– Göreme Open Air Museum is known as one of the most popular attractions and historical places in Cappadocia.
– This museum showcases the history of the region with ancient paintings, churches, and caves dating back to centuries ago.
5. -Exploring Ihlara Valley and Seeing Stone Structures:
– In Ihlara Valley, you pass through a calm and green path, and a beautiful river flows through the volcanic rocks of the valley.
– This path allows you to see several old churches with intact paintings and carvings.
6. -Visiting Pasabağ Valley:
– Pasabağ Valley is also known as Monks Valley and is located 10 kilometers from Göreme.
– This amazing area has tall chimneys, rocks with strange shapes, and impressive natural beauty.
7. -Visiting the Underground City:
– The underground city of Cappadocia invites tourists to an exciting adventure.
– This complex includes shelters, churches, stables, kitchens, and rooms that ancient residents built to defend themselves against invasions by marauding tribes.
Final Word:
“Whenever you travel to Cappadocia, you will have unforgettable experiences. This region attracts you with its numerous natural and historical attractions such as ballooning at sunrise, hiking in amazing valleys, horseback riding tours, and visiting open-air museums and the underground city. To enjoy your trip more, you can explore the markets and buy local products, participate in traditional training classes such as learning to prepare local foods and handicrafts, and participate in local festivals and events. With these experiences, your trip to Cappadocia will become more memorable.”
This text gives you ideas for more activities during your trip to Cappadocia to make your trip more memorable and enjoyable.
