26.12.2023
5 Dakika
In the heart of Anatolia, there is a region where nature creates a unique landscape that speaks its own artistic language. This is Cappadocia, where the fantastic landscape with its fairy chimneys has been created by the erosion of the volcanic landforms created by two volcanic mountains to the south and east - Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan. It is a land of fairy tales that lives up to the mystical atmosphere created by the unique views and is home to some of the most interesting settlements in human history.
Geographically, Cappadocia is a larger area with underground cities that make it one of the most impressive places in the world. Göreme, Kaymaklı, Derinkuyu and Tatlarin, which are among these underground cities, are also considered as monastic habitats. The magnificent decorations of the rock churches in Cappadocia, which played an important role in the history of Christianity, are among the most impressive works of Byzantine art after Iconoclasm.
Obviously, due to its geographical conditions, Cappadocia becomes a refuge for people under pressure and trying to hide. Christians under pressure from the Roman Empire in the 3rd century, those who opposed iconoclasm between the 8th and 9th centuries, or Christians who wanted to protect themselves from the recent Arab invasion, found refuge in the rock settlements of Cappadocia, where they found the opportunity to live and continue their religious practices. As a result, they left behind one of the most interesting and mystical regions in the world. Get to know some of the must-see places in Cappadocia.
When we think of Cappadocia, perhaps the first place that comes to mind is Göreme, which was transformed into a monastic area under the guidance of St. Basil, an important figure in the history of Christianity. In the open-air museum, you can visit structures that tell a historical adventure, with structures carved into fairy chimneys or rocks with remarkable decorations. St. Basil's Chapel, the Elmalı Church, the Monastery of Monks and Nuns, the Dark Church and the Tokalı Church are just some of them.
One of the regions with the densest fairy chimneys is the Zelve Open-Air Museum. The region, which consists of three different valleys, is one of the important centers of Christianity. In the Zelve Open-Air Museum, the Direkli Church, carved into the rock and dating back to the development of monastic life, as well as the Fish Church, the Grape Church and the Deer Church are among the structures worth seeing.
Church of St. Theodore
The church, built according to the "three-leaf clover" principle, which is unusual in Cappadocia, is one of the most important historical structures in the region. It is believed to have been built in the second half of the 10th century and has unique decorative elements and its original floor plan.
The Derinkuyu Underground City
There are many underground cities of astonishing dimensions in Cappadocia. Among these mysterious cities that evoke a strong sense of admiration mixed with curiosity about the people who built them, the largest and deepest is the Derinkuyu Underground City. With its eight floors, Derinkuyu is an architectural masterpiece. The underground city, which has facilities that can accommodate a large population, includes areas such as a stable, a well, a cellar, a dining hall and a church. The Missionary School, an area that must be seen, is located on the second floor of the city.
The Göreme Open Air Museum and Cappadocia with its breathtaking views created by the most impressive brushstrokes of nature, the enchanting deep valleys and the fairy chimneys is a must-see. Besides exploring the structures carved into the rock or the underground cities in the region, you can enjoy many different experiences, such as a hot air balloon ride, a stay in a cave hotel or a hike on magnificent trails.
