Cappadocia, taking you to completely different lands with its chimney rocks and balloon tours, has maintained its place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List since 1985. This town, reflecting the historical reality with its legends, emerged from the interaction of volcanic lands with nature. The region, which has been inhabited since ancient times and is called Cappadocia, meaning “Land of Beautiful Horses”, still bears the traces of various civilizations. You should add Cappadocia to your must-see list to explore the sky with balloon trips and the historical texture with underground cities.
Goreme Outdoor Museum
Goreme, a town connected to the center of Nevsehir, greets you with its miraculous beauty as soon as you step into. Goreme, which overlooks the valleys where the sunrise is seen with the view of hot-air balloons floating into the sky, also hosts one of the most important outdoor museums in Turkey. There are many chapels in the region, which was once the symbol of monastery life between the 4th and 13th centuries AD. You can see and visit the houses, living areas and storerooms from the early ages in the settlement area made by carving the insides of rocks. Goreme Outdoor Museum, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, also attracts people with its frescoes and geometric decorations on the walls of the churches.
Uc Guzeller (the Three Beauties)
The Three Beauties, one of the sources of legends in Cappadocia, is the region where there are three chimney rocks on cliff edges. According to the legend about these chimney rocks, which have become a symbol of lovers, the king's beautiful daughter falls in love with a shepherd and wants to marry him. As the king doesn’t allow their marriage, the princess and the shepherd run away. The rumor says that the princess and the shepherd, who had a child, turned into stone while begging to get rid of the king's men. The Three Beauties, the symbol of the shepherd, the princess and their children, also manage to fascinate its visitors with many other stories. You shouldn’t just pass by without visiting the region, which has been the subject of many legends and has become even more fascinating with its wonderful landscape.
Uchisar Castle
Uchisar Castle, one of the most beautiful places where Cappadocia scenery can be viewed, is the highest point in the region. The castle, which has been used for defense purposes since the Byzantine period, is also among the places where the Turks lived when they first came to Anatolia. Uchisar Castle, which is a multi-storey building with many windows, consists of two very high chimney rocks. Apart from the breathtaking scenery, it also allows you to witness the history with its rooms, cellars and carved tombs on the stairs that are climbed to reach the summit.
Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley, another symbol of the Cappadocia region with its trees filled with evil eye beads, reflects the importance of pigeons for ancient people. Pigeon Valley, named after the nests carved into the rocks by the people living in the region until the 9th century, is famous for the use of pigeon droppings in ancient times. The region, where pigeon droppings were used in vineyards and eggs were used in the plaster of murals, is of great interest to tourists as a hiking area. You can also come across people who make wishes on the branches of trees decorated with evil eye beads.
Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley is one of the most impressive sightseeing places in the region, dragging its visitors to a completely different world. While the steps decorated with greenery that have become a reflection of nature are used to descend to the green valley, which is actually quite steep, those who want to have a bird’s eye view of the valley prefer tours in hot-air balloons. For those who want to explore the valley on foot, a green nature accompanied by the Melendiz River and the chance to get to know the houses where ancient people lived and the churches where they worshiped await. You should add Ihlara Valley, which contains several mysteries and natural beauties, to your must-visit list.
The underground cities in Cappadocia promise its visitors a unique experience.
Derinkuyu Underground City
The underground cities in Cappadocia promise its visitors a unique experience. An impressive and mysterious journey in the underground cities awaits those who appreciate the beauties on the surface of the region. Derinkuyu, the largest underground city in Cappadocia, is famous for sheltering many people in huge cities in deep wells. The tourists often find Derinkuyu Underground City quite mysterious as it was built during periods when the possibilities were very limited and life was maintained underground.
Kaymakli Underground City
Kaymakli Underground City, which is thought to be a 8-floor like other underground cities in Cappadocia, attracts huge attention with its impressive church designs and living spaces inside. The city, which carries the traces of several civilizations, is source of a fascinating mystery with its every floor. The first floor of the city was usually used as a barn, while the church and cemetery are located on the second floor. It is believed that the third floor was used as a wine cellar, food storage area and dining area, while the fourth floor was designed as a narrow kitchen in order ensure protection against possible enemy attacks.
Tour with Hot-Air Balloons
Cappadocia, where many secrets are waiting to be discovered with its unique landscape, definitely needs to be seen from a bird's eye view. Hot-air balloons, which make the existing landscape even more beautiful, allow you to visit all the touristic places within a 2-hour tour. Balloons that take off at sunrise in the morning are an excellent option for you to experience the valleys and chimney rocks from a different angle.
