Cappadocia, a dreamy slice of central Turkey dotted with ‘fairy chimneys’ (rock formations), has a history every bit as remarkable as its landscape. Volcanic eruptions created this surreal moonscape: the lava flows formed tuff rock, which wind and rain sculpted into sinuous valleys with curvy cliff faces and pointy fairy chimneys.
Cappadocians chiselled homes in the soft rock, paving the way for cave-dwelling hippies and today’s boutique fairy-chimney hotels.
Staying in Cappadocia today doesn’t involve any hardship or subterranean chambers. Many cave dwellings and fairy-chimney chapels have been converted into boutique hotels, where you can try the troglodyte lifestyle in luxury. Features include cave hamams (Turkish baths), rock-cut arches, walls patterned with volcanic colour-banding and panoramic terraces surveying the valleys. You’ll quickly discover what the locals have known for centuries: the tuff rock keeps rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
Why so many cave dwellings in Cappadocia?
The troglodyte habit is often attributed to a need for places of refuge and concealment in troubled times, suggesting a chronology linked with either the Arab raids of the seventh or ninth centuries or the Turkish ones of the eleventh century.
The habit itself does not, however, imply such a need. In fact, rock-cut villages often occupy conspicuous sites…Instead, as noted above, this mode of architecture should be seen as a logical response to the local conditions. The millstone closures, which appear formidably defensive to an eye accustomed to built architecture must also be seen in this context: when timber is scarce and the soft rock easily worked, such a closing method for seldom-used storage cavities may be more efficient than conventional door.
The rock-cut villages cannot, therefore, be assigned with certainty to the periods of turmoil. There is certainly no question of concealment as far as the cave churches are concerned, since they are often located in prominent sites and many also have elaborate carved facades. Nor is there reason, therefore, for assigning the churches to periods of insecurity.
10 Fascinating Cave Dwellings in the World
Another town in Cappadocia, Uçhisar is situated at the highest point in the region just 7km from Nevşehir. The rock castle of Uçhisar can be seen for miles away. The cave dwellings inside this rock used to be the most populated area of Uçhisar. However, as the danger caused by erosion became greater, people moved away. The last residents left in the 1950s. The top of the castle provides a magnificint panorama of the surrounding area.
Ortahisar means “middle castle” and as its name implies, it is central among the Cappadocian towns of Goreme in central Turkey. Its most pronounced structure is the castle of Ortahisar situated at a 86 meter (282 ft) high cave. The castle has been used strategically and for accommodation. The caste has partly crumbled away revealing some of its interior. Today it has been restored and the peak is accessible by a staircase.
3- Kandovan Iran
4- Vardzia Georgia
5- Bandiagara Escarpment Mali
6- Mesa Verde USA
7- Sassi di Matera Italy
8- Bamiyan Afghanistan
9- Matmata Tunisia
10- Guyaju China
Cave Dwellings, Cappadocia,
History present everywhere, interesting to know how they lived until, not long ago, their reasons and how they were in the path of armies and settlers
long trip and the most amazing geaography that is Cappadocia. I liked every place I visited.ballon was extremly good and one good option is to rent a car or a van and just drive to every valley around goreme there're great restaurants too along the way and i never forget my lovely hotel ''cave suites cappadocia …we'll back istanbul soon
A highlight in the Cappadocia, no photos can describe the fantastic views you will encounter, of course take enough time to explore, to discover, to imagine the panorama you will see here.
Amazing cappadoccia. We stayed in a cave hotel – super!
And travelling around and seeing the sights,could hardly believe that towns, roads, stables had all been built underground.
Its certainly worth the travel.
On my bus trip through Turkey two days were scheduled for Cappadocia sightseeing. What an experience and what a wonderful unexpected fairy tale land -By day we visited the underground dwellings, caves, churches in the rocks and took very early morning balloon rides. A visit to a typical Turkish cave house was included- I could have just stayed there. Stopping…
Though a bit strenuous for someone with walking difficulties, this tour was well worth the effort. The tour brought home what life in the caves must have been like. I gained a new appreciation for what early settlers must have gone through to survive.
Very unique experience! Worth the trip; see it from above by ballon too! Better deals than Izmir or Istanbul.
I came to this region for the lovely rock formations, cave dwellings, and interesting history. The rock is soft a kind of tuffa limestone. When Roman and subsequent invaders came the locals and especially early Christians (who were hunted n exterminated) built homes, churches and entire cities (including stables) in this area. Due to erosion and modern day vandalism the…
the scenery was truly incredible and the people were great. These are different kinds of tourists and travelers than you see in other parts of Turkey. There is much history here, and the food is great. The ferry chimneys are very interesting
The cave dwellings in Cappadocia are amazing. The fact that the Turks have preserved not only the caves, but the murals from the Christians of that times is remarkable.