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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An easy walk through a gorge although trainers on the feet are worth thinking about, as a couple of areas depening ion rain can get boggy. The gorge has Pigeon houses all of the way down the latter ones dating from about 1880 and still being used.
A shady gorge so should be ok later in the season, you follow…
This was part of a full-day tour and we arrived along with hundreds of others at the same time in the morning. Staying a week in Goreme we walked past the site numerous times on the way to other valleys and it was never really quiet.
With more than 30 churches, monks' cells, monasteries and various accommodation dwellings built into…
We took the publicd bus there which runs roughly 15 minutes after the hour every two hours (odd hours). to and from the town of Goereme. Return buses go at 1115 am, 1315pm, and 1715pm (last one). There are sime great cave dwellings and churches to be seen in a village that was inhabited until 1952.
Love every bit of this place. So fascinated by the historical bit of it , about how advanced the people in the past were. can't believe I felt so excited crawling through narrow dark tunnels.
Me and three friend visit this place in early December 2009. Weather was nice and was captivated by the scenery. Trek all the valleys and visit all the ruins. Continuous erosion endangering this site.
Will like to advise the public who wish to visit this place to make sure what they bring along the trip must not throw in this…
We loved everything about Goreme, very interesting! Found the architecture and scenery beyond words. Would love to revisit so we could spend more time.
Make sure you arrive early to avoid the crowds. The museum is a very good example of the early christian church caves. I continue to be amased at how early civialisations managed to create these churches.
Best collection of fairy chimneys and completely free….do not miss.
Very interesting site and offers wonderful views at the top. we enjoyed the climb although it is not as accessible as the Goreme open air museum we love this site for its natural beauty.
Before the Ottoman conquest, Urgup was a Christian centre. The troglodyte dwellings were carved by the early Christians as refuges. The rich Chiristian history gave way to the Islamic tradition and Urgup has many Islamic relics.