With its name referring to "the country of beautiful horses," Cappadocia, which literally translates as "the land of beautiful horses," is most renowned for its distinctive lunar scenery as well as its subterranean towns, cave cathedrals, and hot air balloon rides. Alternatively, you may take a direct flight from Istanbul to Kayseri in Cappadocia, which takes about 1.5 hours, or you can take an overnight bus from Istanbul, which takes approximately 11 hours. Here is a list of activities to do in Cappadocia that you should consider:
1. Subterranean settlements
Underground towns may be found under the rock formations of Cappadocia, and there are not one or two, but 36 of them! They were utilized by the earliest residents of Cappadocia to get away from the severe winter and dangerous animals, and it is believed that they could have accommodated up to 10,000 people apiece. Later, they were used as a safe haven for the early Christians who were fleeing persecution at the hands of Roman troops.
I went to Kaymakli Underground City, which is said to be the world's largest underground city. It has eight levels below ground, only four of which are accessible to the general public. This architectural marvel, as well as the superb engineering, left me speechless. I couldn't believe how they managed to construct everything using hand tools and without the use of electricity! There was a vineyard, ventilation shafts, storage rooms, bedrooms, stables, and even a church.
Travel Tip: There are tunnels between rooms that you will need to bend and squat through in order to go through, so be prepared for that.
2. Goreme Open Air Museum
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is unquestionably one of the most interesting things to see and do in Cappadocia. The Goreme Open Air Museum has evolved from being an important Byzantine monastery town that housed monks to become a pilgrimage destination since the 17th century.
It now contains some of the world's most beautiful rock-cut churches. These are exquisitely decorated on the interior, with paintings going back to the year 900-1200 AD. Even now, the original freshness of these wall paintings may still be felt.
Travel Tip: Pay a visit to the Dark Church, whose walls have been preserved for centuries by pigeon droppings, according to legend. You will be able to view some of the finest specimens of Byzantine art, as well as scenes from the New Testament, at this museum.
3. Pasabag (Monks Valley)
The region, which is pronounced Pah-shah-bah, is well-known for its unusual fairy chimneys. These breathtaking natural formations are the product of erosion that occurred millions of years ago, and locals refer to them as mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys because of their mushroom-like appearance. Several traditional stories claim that the region was formerly populated by fairies who resided beneath, hence the name. Later, during the early era of Christianity, during the 4th and 5th centuries, monks sought shelter there.
Inside one of the three-headed fairy chimneys is a chapel and a seclusion chamber dedicated to St. Simeon, which is a great place to visit. You may go inside this magical chimney and even ascend to the very top of it if you so want.
4. Devrent Valley cappadocia holiday devrent valley cappadocia holiday
The moment my tour group and I arrived at the location, our guide instructed us to let our imaginations run wild since we had arrived at Devrent Valley, also known as Imaginary Valley. This valley, in contrast to the other valleys of Cappadocia, does not include cave churches, Roman fortresses, or even tombs; in fact, it was never inhabited at all.
That it is reminiscent of a lunar landscape is what distinguishes it from the others. There are rock pillars that look like camels, snakes, penguins, seals, and dolphins, among other things. Do you still not trust me? Take a careful look at the photograph above.
Advice from a local: Look for the rock pillar that looks like the Virgin Mary carrying Jesus Christ, or ask your tour guide to point it out to you.
5. Avanos Cappadocia Pottery and Ceramics Shop
The village of Avanos is a thriving part of the city, and it is situated on the banks of the Red River, which is the longest river in the country. Because of this, it has been a center for pottery and craft production since the Hittite era. Using the reddish-brown clay that has been collected from this river, the workshops have been able to create beautiful handcrafted ceramics.
It is possible to watch a demonstration by a potter in one of the numerous family-run pottery businesses, after which you may visit the demonstration workroom before making your way to the main exhibition space. To my surprise, I discovered that the most intricate items may take months to complete!
Travel Tip: You'll discover an infinite variety of vases, jugs, ashtrays, figurines, and plates at this store, so bring your imagination. This is also an excellent location for purchasing mementos for friends and family.
6. Book a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia for a vacation cave hotel
Have you ever wondered how the people of Cappadocia survived for thousands of years by living in caves? The many cave hotels offer visitors the chance to live the troglodyte lifestyle in the lap of luxury.
However, in contrast to the difficulties that existed back then, these boutique hotels are equipped with facilities like Hamams (Turkish baths), high-speed Internet access, and contemporary restrooms. Additionally, rock-cut arches, walls patterned with volcanic color, and panoramic terraces with views of the valley may be found on the property.
"Land of Lovely Horses" is the name of the region, which comes from the ancient Hittite term "Katpatuka," which translates as "land of beautiful horses." The area's dedication to excellent horse breeding is shown in clay tablet texts going back to 1460 BC. One may now ride a native Anatolian horse or an Arab horse across the unique scenery of Cappadocia, visiting places that are off-limits to tour buses and exploring areas that are off-limits to cars.
Pick between two or four-hour trail rides to explore the numerous interesting valleys and mountains in the area. Ride through apple, apricot, and walnut orchards, and meet local Turks as you pass through historic towns on your way to or from your destination.
Read also:
Leave a Reply