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,
Just came back from a trip planned by 7 Wonders. Loved it. If you want a real adventure, plan a hot air balloon ride early in the morning so you can see the sun rise and travel over the cave dwellings in Cappadocia. Amazing
There are thousands of caves which have been carved out of "tuff" the name of the volcanic rock that is prevalent in this area. For 1000 years, until 30 years ago, people live din these caves.
Every now and then we visit very memorable places. Cappadocia was certainly one. One can only marvel at the weird stone formations and what the people from the area did with these stuctures. Their ability to carve out homes and places of worship from the stone can only be admired and looked at in amazement. We made a special point…
Take at least three days if you can. The highlight was an early morning balloon ride. Not sure there is anything like it elsewhere.
a landscape like you'll never see again, very interesting, seeing the eyes gouged out on the icons was disturbing
This tour is really astonishing! To imagine that so many people lived underground in these caves is mind boggling. But, this tour is not for those who fear small, cramped spaces or being underground.
Just returned from a wonderful 6 day trip to Turkey. Spent 2 days in Cappadocia and stayed in Cave Hotel…great experience and anxious to go back!
This place is a must see … ıcouldnt believe how big the place is ,as the tour guide was explaing it ,we decide to spent the whole day there
Be aware that you will be in small spaces and if you are at all claustrophobic, you might want to pass.
I had always wanted to go to Cappadocia as I had been entranced by the photos of the cave dwellings built into volcanic ash cliff faces for decades, and had hoped to add a tour there to the end of my cruise which finished in Istanbul in July this year.