Turkey has always intrigued and fascinated the rest of the world with its variation, contrast and contradictions and will continue to do so. It is hard to find a country like Turkey, be prepared for a mind-blowing experience in this truly amazing country.
Cappadocia : A wealth of culture, art and history, stunning scenery and wildlife, adventure, spirituality, hot cuisine and a multitude of traditions.
Brief Historical Information
The late Hittite Kingdom (1200 BC – 700 BC) called the region of Cappadocia, KATWATNA, meant to be “the Lower Land”. When the Cimmerians ended the Phrygian sovereignty in
676 BC, the Medes came onto the scene (585 BC) and then the Persian Kingdom which divided the Kingdom into semi-autonomous satrapies or provinces. In the ancient Persian language, they called Cappadocia, KATPATUKA which meant “Land of the Good – Breed Horses”.
Today KAPADOKYA (CAPPADOCIA) is accepted one of the world’s seven wonders, one of those rare regions in the world where the works of man blend unobtrusively into the
natural surroundings. Dwellings have been hewn from the rock as far back as 4,000 B.C. During Byzantine times chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, their
ochre-toned frescoes reflecting the hues of the surrounding landscape. Even today troglodyte dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tuff merge harmoniously into the landscape. The area is covered by wonderful valleys where the weather has
eroded the stone into peaks, cones and obelisks called fairy chimneys.
Geologic Formation
60 million years ago during the Tertiary Period, The Taurus chain rise in volume, by
squeezing the Anatolian Plateau. The two volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan mountains tighten the third one called Göllü mount causing the Eruption. Depositing a bed of Ash and Basalt below the surface of the Plato, Winds and different climate conditions, will break the Basalt by creating gaps and holes, Rains and Erosions will cause the melting of these ashes
forming today’s shapes called by locals “Fairy Chimneys”.
The conventional Rock hewn houses and pigeon nests are the main heritage of Cappadocia. Protected by international laws they all represent the cultural texture of
this unique landscape. Today many Caves, Rock Dwellings and Mansions are restored; the local handicrafts are reflecting the authentic history, preserving their natural beauty. Many restorations are used as Lodgings, Hotels or Boarding-houses giving to visitors a
great possibility to explore, “Cappadocia”.
Source : Wikipedia
