Cappadocia

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Cappadocia – Another World…

It was 60 million years ago that Cappadocia all of a sudden started to tremble. First, the Taurus mountain rage rose. The gods from Cappadocia were annoyed: Argeus (Erciyes), Hasandagi and Göllüdag began to spit streams of hot lava and covered the region with ashes.

Then it became quite in Cappadocia and the "earthly artists" wind and rain began their work. Together they created a masterpiece: the "Fairy Chimneys". They make an impression on us, like they were built with unknown divine hands.

These geological pieces of art, that nowadays are being regarded in astonishment and amazement, became in a geologically not long time ago a place of the rise and fall of great cultures.

The history of Cappadocia: Hittites, Persians, Romans

The Hittite people were the first to enter the stage of Cappadocia. They were banished by the Persians, who called this magnificent landscape "the land of the beautiful horses". Then came Alexander the Great: he had other interests than to enjoy Cappadocia's beauty and annexed it for his empire.

The long rule of the Romans left its lasting mark on Cappadocia's destiny. During the époque of principat (?) followers of the Christian believe, who were persecuted by Romans as well as by heathen kings, hid in Cappadocia. They created out of conical stone, which is easy to elaborate, a subterranean realm that was hidden from everyone's eyes. Walking on Jesus Christ's and numerous other Christian Saint's path, they built a copy of the Holy Land: starting with Nevsehir, close to the Kirsehir of our time, Nigde, Askaray and Kayseri.

Visitors can still admire the many relicts from this early Christian period. Their heir is so immense and abundant, that you will not be able to explore all of it on your first trip. It will more likely make you come a second time in order to discover more. You will experience the joys and sorrows, the life of these Christian ancestors in the subterranean cities of Derinkuyu, Kaymakli and Özkonak. You will admire the icons of the cliff churches, that are embedded into the secret depths of the mountain. The history will resurrect for you and become conceivable.

Cappadocia today: unforgettable experiences

You get to enjoy the unforgettable experience of a Cappadocian sunset from one of the impressive fortresses of Avanos, Ürgüp, Uchisar or Orthahisar. With just a little bit of luck you may be able to watch the moon rise while sipping a cup of coffee or even a glass of wine.

When you savored the heights of Cappadocia to your satisfaction, descent to the valleys. Narcotic scents from the flowers and the soft murmur of the clear creeks await you here in Güllüdere, Paşabağ and Zelve.

The possibilities to explore the "land of the beautiful horses" are inexhaustible: so you better relax and take it easy in order to have enough power for the next day. For example there are doves…or the dancing butterflies in the spring-green Ihlara Valley. Or, for gourmets, the local wines: whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Merlot. Don't ever forget to take your camera with you on your Cappadocia trip: other way no one will believe the world you have been to.