 The
region known as Cappadocia includes the centres of Ürgüp,
Göreme, Avanos, Üçhisar, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklİ
and Ihlara. It is a stunning area of other-worldly rock formations,
subterranean churches and underground dwellings, the scale
of which is over-whelming. For background on the area see
page 30 The area is also famous for its carpet-weaving, wine
and the distinctive red pottery of the Avanos area. Cappadocia
was a refuge for the early Christians, who escaped persecution
by living and worshipping underground.
There are an estimated
3000 rock churches in this region, not all of which are open
to the
public, the existence of which was discovered by chance in
1907 by
a French Jesuit scholar, who was travelling through the area.
Some of themost impressive of the churches are located in
the Göreme
Open Air Museum, which, for the most part, date from the 9th-11th
centuries and have stunning wall paintings. You shouldn’t
miss the Karanlİk ‘Dark’Church, the
Elmalİ ‘Apple’Church; the
Yİlanlİ ‘Snake ‘Churchwith
its paintings of St. George
killing the dragon and the
Tokalİ ‘Buckle’ Church.
The Kİlİçlar Vadisi also
forms part of this vast site, which takes its name ‘Valley
of the
Swords’ from its pointed rock formations.
The village of Göreme itself is at the heart of the area’s
tourist
industry, and many of its villagers still live in cave dwellings,
some of which have been converted into pensions. Surrounding
the area are the amazing rock formations known evocatively
as
Peri Bacalarİ or ‘Fairy Chimneys’.
For panoramic views over the scenery of the Göreme Valley,
visit the citadel of Üçhisar, the huge rock tower,
which is the
highest point in the area. Üçhisar and Ürgüp
are two of the
most popular places to stay in the area, where in recent years,
a
number of chic boutique hotels have opened in the old buildings
and rock dwellings.
Located to the west of Nigğde, is the stunning Ihlara Vadisi,
a
gorge which is 10 kms long and some 80 metres wide. Popular
for trekking, about 12 of its 60 churches are open to the
public
including the impressive Egğritas Church.
There are hundreds of underground cities
in the regions. Two of the most impressive are
Kaymaklİ, which has 8 levels, and Derinkuyu,
which reaches down to 55 metres. They were
used by the Christians fleeing persecution in
the 7th century, who created a self-sufficient
environment underground including bedrooms,
kitchens and storage rooms.
To get away from the crowds visit the picturesque
Sogğanlİ, Valley, with its many houses,
tombs and churches, displaying excellent
examples of Byzantine painting. More of the
intriguing rock formations can be seen in the
Devrent Valley and the Çatalkaya area. |
