The best time to visit Cappadocia |

Underground cities, fortresses in huge rocks and stone valleys - Cappadocia is a historical area in Turkey, which was formed thousands of years ago. It has experienced dozens of civilizations, each of which has left its mark. Tourists come here to see the amazing landscapes of volcanic rocks, ancient architectural monuments and the famous hot air balloons.

What to see in the Cappadocia region

Cappadocia has a rich historical heritage. Ancient churches, cities and fortresses are preserved here, which are located directly in the rocks. The nature of this region is unlike any other, but there are several places that you must visit.

Uchisar Fortress

This defensive facility is located in the city of the same name near Goreme, which is considered the center of Cappadocia. The height of the fortress is 60 meters. It is a rock formation with numerous underground passages, tunnels and rooms. During the Byzantine Empire, the premises were inhabited, some of them are still accessible for visiting. You can climb to the top of the Uchisar citadel, from where a panoramic view of the landscapes of Cappadocia opens. The Turkish flag is raised on the observation deck, and binoculars are also installed for a better overview.

Derinkuyu Underground City

This is one of the largest cave settlements in Cappadocia. The city, discovered in the middle of the 20th century, was built 3-4 thousand years ago. It is located near Nevsehir. The underground settlement has eight levels and reaches a depth of 60 meters. The area of ​​Derinkuyu is more than two square kilometers, but it is believed that this is only a small part of the entire territory. The city underground accommodated about 20 thousand people, as well as livestock. In Derinkuyu there were living quarters, churches, barns, stables, bakeries, workshops and many other things that are also found in the above-ground settlements. You can enter the underground through a one-story building in the city on the surface. The underground levels are equipped with ventilation and good lighting, the average air temperature is +13-25°C.
Kaymakli Underground City
The undergrounds of this city and Derinkuyu are connected by an eight-kilometer tunnel. There are also eight levels in the Kaymakli settlement, but tourists can visit only four of them. The layout of the rooms differs from that in Derinkuyu: their peculiarity is that they are organized around ventilation shafts. On the first floor of the underground city there is a stable, on the second - a church, on the third level you can see food warehouses, wine presses and kitchens, as well as a large piece of volcanic rock. This block of andesite was used for processing honey.

Valley of Love

This valley is part of the historical Göreme National Park. There are unusual rock formations there, which are called magic chimneys. They are a tall, thin spire of volcanic rock. The length of the valley is two kilometers. The height of the magic chimneys can reach forty meters. In addition, there are numerous caves and underground tunnels there. The Valley of Love can be explored on foot or as part of a horseback ride.

Ortahisar

This is a small town located near Nevşehir. In the center of Ortahisar is the fortress of the same name - one of the largest in the territory of Cappadocia, its height is 90 meters. The castle is a rock formation in which various passages and rooms are carved. Also in the city there is a non-working Church of the Acrobats, where a fresco from the 13th century has been preserved. A kilometer from Ortahisar is the Halaç Monastery, which is also carved into the rock. After the temple was abandoned, the locals bricked up the entrances and windows to use the premises as dovecotes.

Uhlara Valley

This is a canyon in the southwestern part of Cappadocia, in whose rocks Christian churches and other buildings are carved. It is located in the valley of the Melendez River, its length is 15 kilometers and its depth is approximately 150 meters. Near the gorge is the village of Uhlara, where there are two staircases that can be used to go down. The churches in the canyon began to be built in the 4th century, when they built more than a hundred temples, but only 13 of them are accessible to tourists.

Avanos

This is an ancient city located on the banks of the Kazl-Irmak River, which is famous for its pottery production. The products are made of red river clay. The underground caves of Avanos were once home to thousands of people, but now they are used as pottery workshops. In the vicinity of the city, you can visit the rock-cut Zelve Monastery, where you will see frescoes from the iconoclastic period. The monks who lived in the carved cells were the first to conduct training courses for priests in the temple. Near Avanos is the village of Cavusin, where there are two rock-cut churches named after John the Baptist.

Hot air balloons

This is the most recognizable landmark in Cappadocia. Tourists come to the region not only to soar above the otherworldly landscapes, but also to simply observe this attraction from the side. The most popular observation decks are located in Göreme. A view of the hot air balloons can also be found from the Valley of Love, the village of Çavusin and the fortresses of Uçhisar and Ortahisar.

Conclusion

The sights of Cappadocia are wonderful at any time of the year, but some entertainment here is available only in favorable weather. When planning your trip, take into account the weather conditions, and our tour guides will show you the best panoramic sites and tell you about every corner of Cappadocia.
Discover the magic of Cappadocia with Stanley Travel! Our expert tour guides and carefully selected routes will immerse you in the history and beauty of this unique region. Take advantage of our special offers for a hot air balloon flight over the magic chimneys and a visit to the underground cities. Book your unforgettable trip today by calling 0887 360 297 or at https://www.stenlitravel.com