First man set foot in the region 10,000 years ago. Then 3500-1200 BC Cappadocia was a part of a powerful Hittite state. Phrygians took over the administration in the 8th Century BC. Five hundred years later they were replaced by the Persians. Alexander the Great occupied the territory in 333 BC. The history of Cappadocia past, contains a Roman state, a part of the Byzantine Empire, a place where many early Christian saints including St.Paul found a refuge, where she lived and taught. Finally, Cappadocia has a sensitive region of modern Turkey, with a predominant importance of agriculture and tourism.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE: Fairy Chimneys were created as a result of wind and water erosion when small harder rock remained on top of the pillars of rock larger and softer. The landscape out-of-this-world George Lucas impressed so much that his original plan, a few episodes of Star Wars’ in this area to shoot. The hotel is situated in a spectacular valley between the towns of Urgup and Nevseshir there are very different, interesting fairy chimneys. UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage Site. Some of the fairy chimneys inhabited for many years, with rooms, windows and stairs bent too much trouble in the creation of up to 5 floors of structures. Today, some of them are also services to tourism as pensions. The largest of 36 underground cities in the region is Derinkuyu. It is at a distance of 29 km from Nevsehir, the provincial capital of 7,000 people. Derinkuyu underground city is located on a hill, was found by chance and open to the public in 1965. It covers an area 4 square kilometers as in able to protect 2,000 households on seven floors below the surface was calculated distributed, reaching a depth of 70-85 meters.

Archaeologists tend to believe that the Hittites, the starters of the underground communities in the 6th and 7 Living by the early Christians in a very extensive complexes with air shafts, kitchens, were were expanded, churches, wells, stables and cellars. These underground systems are developed by people who had accepted Christianity against their enemies used both as a refuge and a safe place to conduct their worship. Then there is the underground city Kaymaklı, 20 km from Nevsehir. Despite the fact that only four underground levels have been excavated, there is speculation that a total of up to 11. There is also a tunnel, the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu (9 km long!) Who combines a width of more than 2 meters, but unfortunately, it collapsed not open to the public as part of the tunnel.

To mention other significant underground communities in the region of the U-Ozkonak monastery and the underground city with existing Christian frescoes Tatlarin. Rock cut Christian churches. It is estimated that more than 400 Christian churches, chapels and monasteries in Cappadocia during the Byzantine period to the 13th Century built. Most of them were dug out of fairy chimneys, hills and caves. Tokalı The Church is the largest in the region, it was in the early 10th Century built. Decorated with a cycle of the life of Jesus, it is situated in the village of Goreme. Karanlik church in Goreme is among the best in Cappadocia with lively paintings, which received the consecration of Jesus, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the apostles. Eskigumus the monastery in the rock (near the town of Nigde) is carved the only one where you see a mural with a smile of the Virgin Mary.

The recent discovery of the Monastery in 1963 made it possible vandalism, which were most churches and monasteries of Cappadocia submitted escape. Well-preserved wall paintings decorate the spacious main church are known to one of the best examples of Byzantine art in all of Cappadocia.
Other attractions in the area but are not limited to:

- Museums in Aksaray, Nevsehir, Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri;

- Fortress Ortahisar, Devrent spectacular valley;

- Seljuk history relics such as Karatay Madrasah, many mosques and caravanserai in Konya;

- Hot springs in Nar-Golu and Guzelyurt, where one of the oldest existing churches in the region is Kilise-Kizil (Red Church), an artifact of the sixth century;

- Mountain climbing and skiing in the mountains of Erciyes Dagi (3916m altitude);

- The hot air balloon.

When to go: Cappadocia has a steppe climate, there is a difference in temperature between day and a great evening. The average temperature is 23 degrees C (73 F) in summer and -2 degrees C (28 F) in winter. It is cooler and drier than in the popular tourist areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. April to mid-June and from September to October are the best months to visit.
GETTING THERE: Ankara, the capital of Turkey is only 350 miles. Here you will find all necessary local contact phone numbers, information and recommendations to eat at these links: Goreme – Nevsehir. Tours to Cappadocia are offered by almost all travel agencies in Turkey, but they are all too short so you have time for short visits. Guides tend to spend too much time on the local pottery and carpet shops. We recommend that you rent a car in Ankara (usually $ 75-100 USD / day) and drive to Cappadocia on your own, or rent a small group setting and a van with a local driver / guide (a car with It would cost drivers $ 85 to 135 USD / day).

TRAVEL TIPS: Local travel books are information brochures on the ground in the cities of Cappadocia. If you travel on your own, a detailed road map would definitely buy a must in order before leaving. Modest clothing for women proposed. The culture of rural Turkey is conservative and immodest clothing (short skirts, shorts, tight clothing) can invite unwanted attention. Do not forget a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes. Plan in advance to spend at least two full days in the region.

We wish you a pleasant and safe trip!

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