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ALL TURKEY TOURS |
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INFORMATION |
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The
ancient region of Cappadocia lies in central Anatolia,
between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here, the
traveller finds one of the most fantastic landscapes in the
world. Three.jpg)
million years ago, violent eruptions of the volcanoes Mt.
Erciyes (3891m) and Mt. Hasan (3250m) covered the
surrounding plateau with tuff. Wind and weather have eroded
the soft volcanic rock into hundreds of strangely shaped
pillars, cones and "fairy chimneys", often very tall, and in
every shade from pink through yellow to russet browns.
Since the most ancient of times, men have hollowed out
troglodyte dwellings in this soft rock,.jpg)
and here, at the dawn of Christianity, the early Christians
made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries. There
are over 600 churches scattered through the valleys. The art
style of the churches can best be considered in two
categories: the 8th and 9th centuries are the iconoclastic
years, with decorations in red earth tones and symbolism in
simple geometric motifs; the 10th to the 13th centuries saw
decorations on a plaster base and show the lives of Christ
and various saints. Interestingly, in some of the churches
the frescoes of the later period have fallen off, revealing
earlier decorations underneath. The architectural plan of
the churches.jpg)
is uncomplicated.
Also in this region are a number of underground cities which
were used by Christians as places to retreat to and live in
until danger from their enemies had passed. These cities
were well-hidden and safe. There were rooms for grain
storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and air
shafts. Today they are well-lit and would be an interesting
part of your tour.
Goreme is an important area for shopping, with its wonderful
carpets and kilims, onyx souvenirs,.jpg)
and very fine local wines. It is also a wonderful region for
trekking and for photo-safaris. The scenery is breathtaking
in all four seasons: miniature poppies in the springtime,
the touring hot-air balloons and flowers of summertime,
autumn's grapes and blaze of gold, and the winter blanket of
snow.
Devrent Valley: The wonderful and impresive valley of
fairly chimneys. A short walk through this enchanting valley
using your imagination to see the different shapes at the
top of the fairy chimneys.
.jpg)
Pancarlik Valley: Where you can stop to see the 12th
century chruch with its splendid frescoes.
Mustafapasa (Sinasos): The traditional stone houses
with carved and decorated facades evoke another age.
Taskinpasa: The 14th century Karamanid Mosque and
Mausoleum Complex and the remains of a medrese portal on the
edge of town, make for a pleasant diversion.
.jpg)
Zelve: An importand and ancient town in Cappadocia
comprised of dwellings in the rocks. An adventurous hour is
spent here walking through the three valleys in which the
town was located.
Pasabag: (The Monks Valley) in this spectecular spot
you can see the fascinating fairy chimneys unique to this
location, as well as the hermitages carved into fairy
chimneys.
Avanos: A charming town divided in to two by the Red
River. This town is a poterry making centre. The ancient
pottery techniques are still use today in Avanos.
.jpg)
Goreme Open Air Museum: The monastic complex of rock
churches and chapels covered with frescoes is one of the
best known sites of central Anatolia. Goreme Town is
sitvaled in the middle of the valley cones and fairy
chimneys.
Uchisar: The ancient citadel for a panaromic view of
the rocky Cappdocia. The castle is the highest point in
Cappadocia.
Guvercinlik: (Pigeons Valley) A stop here for a
panaromic view of the valley and to learn something about
the importance of pigeons in the history of Cappadocia.
.jpg)
Underground Cities: The most famous, the largest and
biggest under ground city in the region eight levels open
for inspection.
Ihlara: (Collapsed land) The Melendiz River has
eroded this impressive canyon into the walls of which
Byzantine rock chapels covered with frescos, have been cut.
Soganli: 50 km south of Urgup, is a picturesque
valley of innumerable chapels, chruches, halls, houses and
tombs. The frescoes, from the 8th to the 13th century, trace
the development of Byzantine painting.
Devrent Valley: 4 km north of Urgup, is the wonderful
weather has eroded the stone into peaks, cones and obelisks
called fairy chimneys.
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