The Turkish region of Cappadocia, a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage, boasts one of the most dramatic sights in the world.
Visiting Cappadocia is such a change from visiting many other busy bustling sights all over Turkey. It is a great pleasure to wander in the vast open space filled with captivating natural attractions which have seen human history dated back in the Bronze Age.
While in Goreme Open Air Museum , the conical formations resulting from the volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago, just follow the path up to the top of one of the ridges where a spectacular view of the fairy chimneys awaits you. The natural cone formations contain caves and labyrinths. As early as the third century, those chimneys became a hiding place for early Christians who fled persecution from the Romans, and then later from raiding Muslims. In modern tourism, many caves have been turned into cave houses for tourist stays and the lunar-like setting of Goreme Valley has become popular for hot-air ballooning.
Many say the extremely unique landscape of Cappadocia resembles some scene in a Star Wars movie and yet you may be surprised to discover that no major commercial movies have been filmed there. It would be a perfect setting for movies such as Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter series.
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This place is really boring, all that is found in the museum can easily be found outside in the valleys while hiking. Of course if you are unable to hike around or explore on your own then it might be interesting. However there is a huge line starting early to get into every cave. And the nice cave churches in…
It is amazing how a big rock with 1000 years could be home to a christian comunity, very well conserved and the best experience
The Goreme Open Air Museum at 15-20TL was interesting because it contains several churches with some amazing frescoes. Go early or at lunch time because the tours all arrive at once, even in winter, and it is awful since the churches are small. However, tour guides provided good commentary so we tagged behind a few having no choice anyway. An…
Zelve open air museum is not on all the tour bus stops; so it retains some serenity, compared to its Goreme counterpart, stirring views and rock churches with some art. it also can be used as a jumping off point for walking tours of Rose Valley, and connects to other trails as well.
One of the natural wonders re: landscape, plus frescos on the walls of these caves, serving as early churches, living quarters, burial grounds. Frescos depicted scenes from the bible. Unfortunately no pictures were allowed: one can purchase postcards. Not to be missed.
Selime is for the true adventurers (check out the other review from someone who is not an explorer-type… they hated it). You can climb through seemingly endless tunnels well beyond where you think the authorities should reasonably let you climb (awesome!!!). Of particular interest is the secret passage in the back-left in the two-story church (that's right, two-story church, complete…
The underground city itself is very interesting, the process of visiting it isn't. Lines of tourists, crowded conditions inside and no one to explain the what and why. This site cries out for an introductory video that shows how things were done and can be watched in different languages with earphones.
We went by bus from Istanbul and it was around 9 tiring hours that you should avoid if you can afford a flight. The park is great to walk around and take beautiful pictures. You don't really need a mountaineer outfit, some flat shoes would be all right. It is very close from the hotels in the area. We visited…
It is a must see, nice view, careful during rain it should be slippery, late afternoon is he great time to see
The Goreme Open- Air Museum is a definite do while you are in Cappadocia. It is better to get there early or at lunch time or in the afternoon to avoid tour groups which make getting in and out of the churches tiresome. If you aren't on a tour then I would recommend the audio tour – without it you…