Car Hire in Cappadocia, Turkey
Combined forces of mankind and nature have created three
wonders of Cappadocia- its "fairy chimneys" (cone shaped pillars
of tuff capped with basalt) within the unique valleys that look like
another planet, ancient underground cities and 1500-year old
rock cut Christian churches. All of it is concentrated in the
area of approximately 100x100 km in the central part of Turkey.
Humans first set foot in the region about 10,000 years ago.
Then, from 3,500 to 1,200 BC Cappadocia became a part of a
powerful Hittite state. Phrygians took over the administration
in the 8th century BC. Five hundred years later they were
replaced by Persians. Alexander the Great occupied the
territory in 333 BC. Cappadocia's past history consists of being a
Roman state, a part of the Byzantine Empire, a place where many
early Christian saints such as St. Paul found a shelter, where
they lived and taught. Finally, Cappadocia is becoming a
noticeable region of modern Turkey with predominant importance
of agriculture and tourism.
WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE: Fairy Chimneys were created consequently
of wind and water erosion when small harder pieces of rock
remained on top of larger and softer rock columns. This
out-of-this-world landscape amazed George Lucas so much that
his original plan was to shoot some Star Wars' episodes in this
area. Situated in a spectacular valley amongst towns of
Nevseshir and Urgup there are very different, interesting fairy
chimneys. UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage Site. Some
of the fairy chimneys are actually inhabited for a long time, having
rooms, windows and staircases being laboriously curved inside
creating up to 5-storey structures inside. Today many of these
are also providing services to tourism as pensions.
The largest of 36 underground cities in the area is at
Derinkuyu. It's at a distance of 29 km from Nevsehir, the
provincial center of 7,000 people. Derinkuyu underground city
is situated under a hill is discovered by chance and opened to the
public in 1965. It covers a 4 square km area and was calculated
as able to shelter 2,000 households on 7 floors beneath the
surface, reaching a depth of 70 to 85 meters. Archeologists
often believe that the Hittites were the starters of the
underground communities which in the 6th and 7th were expanded
by early Christians into a very extensive complexes with air
shafts, kitchens, living quarters, churches, water wells, horse
stables as well as wine cellars. These elaborate subterranean systems
were used by the people who had accepted Christianity against
their enemies both being a shelter and as a safe location to carry
out their worship. Next largest underground city is at
Kaymakly, 20 km from Nevsehir.
Despite of the fact that only
four underground levels are actually excavated, there are
speculations that there are usually as many as 11 in totals. There is
also a tunnel that links the underground cities of Kaymakli
and Derinkuyu (9 km long!) that has a width of around 2
meters, however unfortunately it's not opened to the public as
parts of the tunnel have collapsed.
Among some other significant underground communities in the area
we should mention the underground monastery of Ozkonak and also the
Tatlarin underground city with existing Christian frescoes.
Rock cut Christian churches. It is estimated that around 400
Christian churches, chapels and monasteries were constructed in
Cappadocia in the Byzantine period until the 13th century.
Most of them were hollowed out in fairy chimneys, hills as well as in
underground caves. The Tokali church is the largest one in the
region, it was built in the beginning of the 10th century.
Ornamented with a cycle containing the life of Jesus, it is
located right in the town of Goreme. The Karanlik church, also
found in Goreme is among the best preserved in Cappadocia with
lively paintings depicting the consecration of Jesus, the Last
Supper, the Crucifixion and also the apostles. The Eskigumus rock
cut monastery (close to the town of Nigde) is the only one
where you will see a fresco with smiling Virgin Mary. Recent
discovery of the monastery in 1963 permitted it to escape
vandalism to which a number of the Cappadocian churches and
monasteries were subjected. Well-preserved wall paintings
decorate the spacious main church are known to be one of several
best examples of the Byzantine artwork in all of Cappadocia.
Many other destinations in the region include although not limited to:
- museums in Aksaray, Nevsehir, Goreme, Nigde, Kayseri;
- fortress of Ortahisar, the astounding Devrent Valley;
- Seljuk history relics just like Karatay Madrasah, lots of mosques
and caravansaries in Konya;
- hot springs in Nar-Golu and Guzelyurt were also one of the
oldest existing churches in the area- Kizil Kilise (Red Church)
can be found, a 6th century artifact;
- mountain climbing and mountain skiing at the Erciyes Dagi
mountain (3916m above sea level);
- hot air ballooning.
WHEN TO GO: Cappadocia features a steppe climate, there's a great
temperature distinction between day and night. The average
temperature is +23 deg.C (73 F) in summer and -2 deg.C (28 F)
in winter. It is cooler and drier than in the popular tourist
areas of the Mediterranean and the Aegean coasts. April to
middle of June and September-October are the best months to
visit.
GETTING THERE: Ankara, the Turkey's capital city is only 350km
away. You can find all essential local contact phone numbers,
price quotes and dining recommendations by simply following these
links: Goreme - Nevsehir. Tours to Cappadocia are provided by
practically all travel agencies in Turkey, although they are all too
short allowing you adequate time in short sightseeing. Tour
guides are likely to spend too much of your time at local pottery and
carpet shops. We recommend you to definitely rent a car in Ankara (typically
$ 75-100 USD/day, check rental prices) and drive to Cappadocia
on your own, or even put together a little group and hire a minivan
together with a local driver/travel guide (a car and driver
would cost you $85- 135 USD/day).
TRAVEL TIPS: Local travel books, information booklets are
available on the spot in Cappadocia's towns. If travelling on
your own, a detailed road map would likely be a must to buy
prior to going home. Modest clothes are suggested for women. The
rural Turkey's culture is conservative and immodest clothing
(short skirts, shorts, tight clothing) can invite unwanted
attention. Do not forget a sun hat, sun protecting lotion,
comfortable shoes. Plan ahead to spend at least two full days
in the area.
About The Author: Stan Trof is the editor and owner of
http://www.travelmake.com - one of leading online discount
travel agencies, a source of useful travel information.
Ljao/jan/1v21
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