Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) is about mid-way between Goreme and Avanos, on the road to Zelve. ” The valley got its name because monks used to take refuge here.” Pasabag Valley is more commonly referred to, an area that’s noted for its fairy. The unusual moon-like landscape with its extraordinary formations. If you’re wondering why these unusual rock formations are called fairy chimneys, it’s because the early inhabitants of Cappadocia believed that these were the chimneys for the fairies who lived under the ground.
Pasabag Valley has the best collection of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. In this area you can see a few different types of fairy chimneys the elongated fairy chimneys look like giant asparagus or Japanese king trumpet mushrooms and then there are those that are pedestal shape with broader bases. The cone shape fairy chimney, is a chimney that has lost its cap due to erosion.
Cappadocia had become a thriving monastic community by the 4th century and St Simeon was one of the many monks who came to Cappadocia. It seemed that rumours had got around that he could perform miracles and he came to Cappadocia to escape the attention. He lived as a hermit in the upper reaches inside one of the 15-metre high fairy chimneys with his disciples and only descended occasionally to get food and drink brought by his disciples. A hermit’s shelter and a chapel dedicated to St. Simeon has been built into one of the fairy chimneys and you can visit the inside of this fairy chimney and climb to the top.
Visiting Pasabag Valley is such a change from visiting the many hectic Turkish cities and it’s a pleasure to wander in the open space amongst these nature-created attractions. For a spectacular view of Pasabag Valley and its army of the fairy chimneys, follow the path up to the top of a ridge, it’s very peaceful and the view is absolutely stunning.
The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps.
A 3 level monastery, that honestly isn't anything special, but you may as well pull over if you're driving by. The best part about it was the Turkish ice cream!
We had a really well educated and traveled local guide on a two day private tour. We didn't want to rush it stumbling from one valley to the next so we told him to take us to no more than 3-4 choice locations each day and this was the second most favorite on his list.
I was on the way to Zelve Open-Air Museum and came upon Pasabag which blew me away with such lovely examples of fairy chimneys. There were a lot of coaches but it didn't seem crowded and you can wander around taking photo's and going in all the caves for free.