Cappadocia is a geography where lava layers have been eroded by rain and wind for millions of years, and it has emerged in an interesting and beautiful place that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world.

Erciyes, which is often said, is a natural formation that has started for 60 million years without these mountains and still continues without the mountains formed by lava and ashes sprayed by HasanMountain and Gullu  Mountain.

Cappadocia takes its name from the word Katpatukya, which means 'Land of Beautiful Horses' of Persians. Cappadocia has a fascinating and mysterious atmosphere with its unique houses carved into the rocks, churches, underground cities, colorful balloons, famous wines and magnificent sunsets.

This is a large region extending to the borders of Nevsehir, Aksaray, Kirsehir, Nigde and Kayseri provinces in Central Anatolia. So take time for this beautiful geography. This is a place that cannot be sacrificed for daily tours, it is 4 seasons.

So how did Cappadocia come about? Simply, a thin layer of lava covering the soft tuff layer formed by the ashes spread from active volcanoes to the geography has cooled over time and turned into hard basalt formations.

The basalt rocks and tuffs underneath, which were cracked by the effects of natural events, were worn and formed fairy chimneys with hats.

People who carved this soft layer made shelters and places of worship for themselves and decorated some of their walls with religious paintings.

The well-known historical and cultural heritage of the unique region, whose known history dates back to the beginning of 2000 BC, is very valuable.

The fairy chimneys and underground cities in the region, where interesting formations are located, spread to the area covering  Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri and Aksaray.

 Surrounded by the Taurus Mountains in the south, the Salt Lake Basin in the north, and the Euphrates River in the east, Cappadocia is a rare natural and cultural treasure in the world.

Today, when it comes to Cappadocia, it is understood a magnificent attraction center that includes Goreme, Urgup, Avanos, Derinkuyu, Ihlara and Kaymakli  regions.

In my Cappadocia Travel Guide blog post, I am sharing information about places to visit and places to see. The riches that stand out with both local texture and historical values ​​are so many that I tried to give as much information as possible.

Cappadocia Travel Guide

Cappadocia, located in the middle of the Anatolian peninsula and on important roads, is a place where many cultures, beliefs and philosophies blend with its existing structure. Spreading in Anatolia with St. Paul, Christianity has expanded to include the Cappadocia region since the 3rd century.

In the 3-4th centuries, when the Romans increased their pressure on the first Christians, those who set out with the philosophy of 'a bite of a cardigan', realized the soft layers of Cappadocia, where they found a place to worship freely, and settled here.

The first Christians, who built underground cities and opened caves on top of the high cliffs, reinforced the abundance of the soil with pigeon fertilizers because they were not warriors.

They continued their lives by cultivating like an agricultural society and managed to keep their faith alive.

With the need of additional power by the Byzantine, the priests began to make soldiers, and the clergymen, who were idealistic, escaped and settled in this region and built their own churches.

The ascetic ones, who took their hand from the blessings of the world, were retired in these caves.

3-4 of Christianity. After the Roman Empire was accepted as the official religion in the 19th century, Kayseri (Sezeria)-born St. Basil came here and chose Goreme , an important center of the region, as a training center.

 For centuries, only clergymen have been educated here and worshiped by continuing their lives. Churches were destroyed and rebuilt at different times.

The frescos, on the other hand, were painted again with plaster cast along with the turbulence of the periods. Surrounded by churches carved into rocks, Cappadocia has about 360 carved churches.

In order to travel to Cappadocia with its well-known routes and to get out of it, everyone has to find their own way and discover the unique landscape.

For those who choose to leave the herd, get lost in the valleys, and listen to the sound of the centuries-old past in churches, there are many expedition options for jump, jeep, motorcycle, bike or on foot.

In addition to its extraordinary formations, Cappadocia hides incredible surprises underground. It is necessary not to be enchanted by the fairy chimneys and skip the importance of underground cities.

Only 7 of 30 underground cities in the Cappadocia region can be visited. The most visited are Kaymakli  and Derinkuyu Underground Cities on the Nevsehir-Nigde road.

Cappadocia Trip Recommendations

While going to Uchisar Castle, do not leave the children with you unattended. Don't be afraid that hotels carved out of the rock are uncomfortable.

Do not think that Cappadocia's nature and history repeats itself after a point. Do not attempt a classic Cappadocia tour in one day. Do not see the churches.

See the dovecotes at Uzengi  Creek. Break the Test Kebab in the Fireplace. In Avanos Chez Galip, leave a pinch of hair for the draw. Get it from Cappadocia's pottery cheese. Take part in jeep safaries.

Esentepe Mevkii between Goreme and Uchisar in the afternoon to attract a typical Cappadocia postcard is the place of Panoramas. The fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, known as 'The Three Beauties', on the left at the entrance of Urgup by Nevsehir. On the 5th kilometer of the Urgup -Nevsehir road, Erciyes Mountain on one side and Red Valley sunset on the other. The starting and ending points of Ihlara Canyon are also very photogenic.

Cappadocia Attractions

Cappadocia's history and natural heritage is a geography spread over a very large area. It is a little unfair to spend only 1-2 days in such a wide geography and see some places quickly.

 Just like a feast that will last all day long, I like eating junk food fast and running away.

Each corner has its own unique texture, different atmosphere and special places. Briefly, a place to visit without hurrying.

Those who do not have time, instead of saying that I can see everywhere and then come back again, I recommend that you spend that time in one place and stay in another place on the other arrival.