CAPPADOCIA
Cappadocia or “ The Land of beautiful
horses” is located in central Anatolia. It is the site of the famous “ fairy
chimneys “, bizarre rock formations resembling towers capped by large tuffs.
The unique landscape of this region was created through violent eruptions of
the volcanoes Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan 3 million years ago.
The Taurus Mountains ,which are part of the
Alpine chain, in their creation 60 million years ago caused the warping of the
Anatolian plateau. The resulting volcanoes, including the spectacular Mount
Erciyes and Mount Hasan, produced the
tuff from which the unique Cappadocia is formed.
One of the wall paintings in
Catalhoyuk , which also happens to be one of the oldest paintings known to
archaeology, shows an eruption as does an ancient engraved coin from Caesarea (
Kayseri) . The remains of a Persian temple dedicated to fire near Mount Erciyas
implies that this volcano was once regarded as sacred.
After the eruption of Mount Erciyes, the
lava formed soft rocks in the Cappadocia region. The people of Goreme, at the
heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily
carved out to form houses, churches , monasteries . Goreme became a monastic
centre between 300- 1200 AD.
First period, settlements in Goreme dates back to
the Roman period from Christianity.
The yusuf Koc, Ortahane, Durmus Kadir and
Beziehane churches in Goreme, houses and churches carved into rocks till to
Uzundere, Bagildere and Zemi Valley carries the mystical side of historic
today. The Goreme Open Air Museum is a complex comprising more than 30 rock
carved churches and chapels containing some superb frescoes, dating from 9th
to the 11th centuries.
Goreme still retains its traditional
industries, with the community working the fields tucked away between the fairy
chimneys. Seasonal activities such as the autumn harvest of Pumpkin seeds and
the preparation of pekmez or “village bread” to see them through the long
winter months, are some of the highlights of this serene community.
In Goreme
you can see the old and new Turkey side by side ad as you wander through the
winding village streets you are likely to be invited to tea in by a friendly
and relaxed atmosphere but nightlife is also available in the centre of the
village for those who fancy a lively party.
Set very close to the wonders of Cappadocia
is the modern town of Nevsehir. It is the administrative capital of the region
and boasts a huge market running from Friday to Monday every week.
Nevsehir was founded by Damat Ibrahuim Pasa
who was Grand Vizier to Sultan Ahmet III. After producing many fine buildings
to enhance the glory of the Sultan in Istanbul he returned home to found the
new city.
The complex he built in what is now central Nevsehir consisted of a
mosque, seminary, school, library, fountain and hamam (Turkish bath ). Some of
these buildings and the beautiful paintings which decorate the interior have
survived to this day.
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