Search Destination

Cappadocia

Cappadocia Nevsehir, Turkey

Cappadocia is Persian for the "land of beautiful horses".It is an enchanting open-air museum and an unparaleleled example of the common cultural heritage of humanity.

Centred on triangle of Nevsehir,Ürgüp and Avanos, Cappadocia is in the middle of a once active volcanic region.The history of Cappadocia begins with the eruption of two volcanoes, Mt. Melendiz near cito of Nigde and Mt. Erciyes near city of Kayseri.

Cappadocia stands on a plateau dominated by the volcanic mountain of Erciyes, the third-highest mountain in Anatolia.Millions of years ago, Erciyes erupted ferociously,hurling ash across the plains.At the time when Anatolia was completing its geographical evolution,these volcanic eruptions were so strong that the lava in some places was up to 100 metres thick.

Over many millions of years.volcanoes,wind,rain and ice sculpted what we now know as Cappadocia.As the land eroded,the basalt stones remained and formed conical structures sometimes reaching as high as 40 metres.The local people called these unique rock formations "Fairy Chimneys",a name that has endured throughout the ages.

If nature was the first artist to arrange the decor,it was Anatolian man who over the centuries carved the rocks and built houses,churches and over 120 underground cities.The largest of these,Özkonak,once had a population of sixty thousand.

The canyon formed by the Melendiz stream,which has pierced its way through the rocks,is called the Ihlara Valley.In this 14-km long valley there ara 105 churches and 4535 houses.You have to go there and bathe in its atmosphere, colours and luminance.

Getting There

Turkish Airlines (THY) currently has flights daily from Istanbul to Kayseri, about 45 minutes by car from anywhere in Cappadocia

Bus service to Cappadocia is available from Istanbul, Ankara, and the major cities of Turkey


Bookmark and Share

Cappadocia

 




Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved.