Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination in Turkey, renowned for its unique geological, historical, cultural and religious features. It was formed by the erosion of soft layers created by the lava and ash erupted by the volcanoes Erciyes, Hasandağı and Göllüdağ 60 million years ago, which were eroded by rain and wind over millions of years. These distinctive and intriguing rock formations are now commonly known as ‘Fairy Chimneys’ due to their unique shapes.
The tuff layers, lacking a basalt cap, have been eroded into valleys, and humans have played a significant role in shaping the region’s current form. Houses, churches and monasteries were carved into the interiors of the fairy chimneys and subsequently decorated with frescoes. Thus, the traces of civilisations spanning thousands of years have survived to the present day. Cappadocia is also one of the key junctions of the Silk Road, which throughout history has hosted trading colonies and served as a commercial and social bridge between nations.
The name ‘Cappadocia’ first appears in Persian sources as early as the 6th century BC. The origin of this name, recorded as ‘Katpatuka’, remains uncertain. Various etymological suggestions have been put forward, such as ‘Land of Good Horses’, ‘Lowland’ and ‘The Place Below’. The geographer Strabo, in his book *Geographika* (Geography – Anatolia XII, XIII, XIV), written during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus, described the borders of Cappadocia. According to this description, Cappadocia extends from the Taurus Mountains in the south, Aksaray in the west, Malatya in the east, and as far as the Black Sea in the north. Today, the regions where these geological formations are most prominent are the provinces of Nevşehir, Kırşehir, Niğde, Aksaray and Kayseri.
The Cappadocia region is a place where nature and history converge. Human settlement in the region dates back to the Palaeolithic era. The written history of Cappadocia, however, begins with the Hittites. The Göreme Open-Air Museum in Cappadocia is one of the most visited sites today. The unique complex of rock formations found in the region was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 as a mixed cultural and natural heritage site under the name ‘Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia’. Another distinctive feature of the region is the numerous underground cities uncovered by archaeologists since the 1960s. The most famous of these underground cities are Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu. The Cappadocia region has been the subject of many films due to its unique topography. In particular, the winter landscapes and sweeping panoramas of Cappadocia are highlighted in the 2014 film “Winter Sleep”, directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Hot-air ballooning is extremely popular in Cappadocia, with balloon tours taking place most frequently in Göreme. Balloon flights, which begin at sunrise, offer an extraordinarily beautiful view of the “fairy chimneys”; watching the colourful balloons is just as breathtaking! Consequently, the “Göreme Hot Air Balloon Tour” has become a world-renowned tourist activity. Over 300 cyclists from all over the world took part in the Presidential Turkey Cycling Tour, held for the first time in Cappadocia between 9 and 13 September 2016. Whilst nature walks are organised in Ihlara Valley, Monastery Valley (Güzelyurt), Ürgüp and Göreme; since 2012, a desert-themed ultramarathon course known as the “Runfire Cappadocia Ultramarathon” has been held every July. The race, which lasts a total of six days and covers 244 km (152 miles), takes participants through various parts of Cappadocia to reach Tuz Gölü. In other words, the runners are in for some truly spectacular scenery!
Avanos, Ürgüp, Göreme, Akvadi, Uçhisar and Ortahisar Castles, El Nazar Church, Aynalı Church, Pigeon Valley, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, and Özkonak Underground Cities, Ihlara Valley, Selime Village, Çavuşin, Güllüdere Valley, Paşabağ-Zelve and Anapınar Village are among the must-see highlights. The traditional Cappadocian houses and dovecotes carved into the rock, meanwhile, showcase the region’s unique character. The surfaces of the dovecotes are adorned with rich decorations created by local artists. Due to the abundance of the material used and its ease of working, stone masonry has flourished there and has become an architectural tradition in the region. Both the courtyard and house doors are made of wood. Various motifs are carved into the upper parts of the arched doors. The Cappadocia region is also famous for its winemaking and grape cultivation. The colourful earthenware pots and souvenirs sold in the region are truly dazzling.
With its breathtaking landscape, fascinating history, exciting activities and hospitable local people, Cappadocia is undoubtedly a magnificent tourist destination.