The landscape of Cappadocia (Kapadokya) in Middle Anatolia of Turkey was created about 30 million years ago. The ashes, which covered the earth by massive volcanic eruptions, became an erosive material called “Tuff”. Through rain, wind and temperature fluctuations caused in the course of time various forms, such as cones in the stone or the so-called “Fairy Chimneys”, of which former residents of the region believed, that they were inhabited by fairies.

Traces of first settlement in Cappadocia can be dated back to 6500 BC. In the late Bronze Age named “Hatti”, after 1600 BC the region was part of the Hittite Empire. In the following time Cappadocia was under the reign of different kingdoms, e.g. Lydians, Persians and Alexander the Great until the region became in the year 18 AD part of the Roman Empire.

Many early Christians built several underground cities in the volcanic tuff stone, used as hiding places before Christianity became an accepted religion. Because Cappadocia was located at the famous Silk Road, even in Byzantine Era and after 11th century under the Seljuks and other Turkish Clans, the region was destabilised by many conflicts and invasions. Some inhabitants converted to Islam, but until end of Ottoman Empire in the 1920 years, still many Christian Orthodox Greeks lived in Cappadocia.

The villages Uçhisar and Göreme in the Nevşehir province of Turkey are attractive places in Cappadocia. It is known, that there were Christian settlers in Roman period, living in cave houses, which they built in the volcanic tuff stone. Many of them are now in use as guest houses.

The different valleys in the region are suitable for beautiful wanderings in the fascinating nature. It is very nice to watch the sunset from top of the rock castle in the small village Uçhisar or to walk through a beautiful valley to the village Göreme. Here the locals are still living from agriculture, but more recently increasingly from tourism.

Outside of Göreme offers the wonderful landscape of the so called Rose Valley a very special view. The millions of years old tuff stone is shining in fascinating white, yellow and red color tones in the noontime or in the sunset light. Standing in front of the amazing rock formation is very impressive and a feeling like to be on another planet.

In Cappadocia can be found a lot of rock churches. A worth seeing complex of monasteries and churches is located near to Göreme. Today the complex is known as Göreme Open Air Museum, which contains more than 30 churches, chapels and monastery buildings in the tuff stone rocks. Some of them have beautiful frescoes inside, made by Christians betweeen the 9th and 11th century.

The best season to visit Cappadocia is between May and October, many guest houses (Pansiyon), restaurants and small shops are open for travellers. Use the inter city bus to Nevşehir, where are a lot of hotels in different price classes. From the main bus station (Otogar) you may find minibusses to the villages in Cappadocia.

To stay some nights in a cave guest house is a very special experience. This guest houses you can find in Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, Ürgüp and Ortahisar. To see the main attractions of Cappadocia you may book a tour with a local travel agency or you can walk alone in valleys and use the public transport services like cheap mini busses or taxis. There are even some car or motorcycle rental services in Göreme, Ürgüp and other places. Kayseri has an airport, so Cappadocia is easy accessible by plane. From Kayseri main bus station you can use the intercity bus to drive to Nevşehir.

© Photos and writing by Jens Helmstedt

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Book: Cappadocia – The Land of Fairy Chimneys