Cappadocia is full of ancient and mythical sights. Fairy chimneys, Underground cities, and Troglodyte dwellings and churches are just a few examples. Visiting this region is a must for all travelers. It is a place of great beauty and legend. Wild horses have roamed the mountains for centuries, giving the region its name.
Underground cities
The underground cities in Cappadocia were built by the Phrygians, who were close to the Greeks and later fell under the rule of the Greeks. These ancient settlements were made in caves, and they had many levels of buildings. They were made to provide shelter, food, and wine to their inhabitants. The inhabitants could also use them as a place to worship.
There are hundreds of underground cities in Cappadocia, but only six have been excavated. The largest and deepest of these cities is Derinkuyu, and travelers and archaeologists say it’s the best one. The second-deepest, but smaller than Derinkuyu, is Kaymakli. The Derinkuyu Underground City is thought to have once been home to up to 20,000 people.
The Underground Cities in Cappadocia have a similar climate throughout the year, and many of them are accessible to visitors. Most are located 50 to 100 metres below the ground. They are protected by proper ventilation systems, which means that temperatures rarely rise above thirteen degrees Celsius. The underground cities in Cappadocia do not have direct access to the surface, but there is a 55-metre long shaft that provides air.
The Derinkuyu Underground City is the deepest of the underground cities in Cappadocia, at a depth of 85 meters. It was built during the Arab-Byzantine wars and contains eight levels of rooms. The Derinkuyu is a must-see attraction during your trip to Cappadocia.
The underground cities in Cappadocia are fascinating and unique. They are thousands of years old and full of ancient architecture and engineering. The ancient people who inhabited these cities lived and worshipped there. More than 40 have been discovered. It’s a great way to understand how people were able to build and live in such a complex and defensive setting.
Another underground city that is worth seeing is the Mazi Underground City, which was discovered by a shepherd in 1995. This 8-layer underground city is surrounded by rock tombs that date from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Its name means “ancient city,” and the rock tombs in the Mazi Underground City date from the Early Roman and Byzantine periods.
Troglodyte dwellings
Troglodyte dwellings are cave houses made of tuff volcanic rock. These dwellings are located in Cappadocia, Turkey. Troglodytes lived in these cave dwellings for thousands of years. Today, the cave dwellings are used as boutique hotels, where guests can enjoy the unique troglodyte lifestyle. Many of these cave hotels feature rock-cut arches, tuff-rock walls, and panoramic terraces. The tuff rock keeps the rooms cool in summer and warm during winter.
Two million years ago, volcanic eruptions covered Cappadocia in thick ash. Later, the ash eroded, leaving behind only the hard remnants of Tuff. These formations are truly astounding. Sculptors like Henry Moore have created masterpieces out of these natural formations. During the Stone Age, the inhabitants of Cappadocia were able to carve cave homes and retreat underground to avoid a hostile environment.
Cappadocia is also home to many monastic complexes. Some of these are carved into the cliffs and are popular for strolls. During the Christian era, local Christians were persecuted by Muslim and Romans. Some of these cities were also discovered to be subterranean cities. These cities have the capacity to house up to a thousand people. The most prominent and accessible are Ozkonak, Derinkuyu, and Kaymakli.
Cappadocia also became a refugio for Christians during the early Byzantine era. Many Christians chose this region to build homes and places of worship. The area was a religious center and is now home to numerous churches, nunneries, and monasteries.
The Rock Sites of Cappadocia are protected by the National Parks Act and the Protection of Cultural and Natural Resources Act No. 2873. They are comprised of two underground towns, five troglodyte villages, and more than two hundred rock-hewn churches. They also have a vast array of frescoes.
The ancient Hittite people of Cappadocia are thought to have lived in these caves 4,000 years ago. During this time, they built underground tunnels with trap rooms. These traps would catch unwary soldiers. Later, Christians constructed these tunnels to be narrow, so that the enemies would fight in single lines. This made it easier for them to counterattack one at a time.
Troglodyte churches
Troglodyte churches are unique religious structures found in Cappadocia, Turkey. They are considered World Heritage Sites. The unique buildings date back to the 11th century. Many of the churches are decorated with ancient frescoes. The churches are set against a backdrop of yawning red rock cliffs and surrounded by shade trees.
There are hundreds of Troglodyte churches in Cappedocia. They are decorated with colorful frescos and were built by Byzantine Christians as sanctuaries. The best examples of these churches can be found in the Goreme Open Air Museum, which has many beautiful cave churches.
There is an abundance of monastic complexes in Cappadocia, and a stroll down the Ihlara Valley is a treat. Churches carved into the cliff face were built in response to persecutions by Romans and Muslims. The region also has a number of subterranean cities. The largest are up to ten levels deep and are interconnected with narrow passageways.
Although the region is not renowned for its subterranean chambers, there are some cave dwellings converted into boutique hotels, which offer troglodyte life in luxury. Some feature rock-cut arches, cave hamams, and volcanic-colour-banded walls. Some even have panoramic terraces. The tuff rock in these caves keeps the rooms cool in the summer and warm during the winter.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Cappadocia is Goreme, which is famous for its fairy chimneys and hoodoos. This area was inhabited as early as the 4th century. The city is surrounded by rock-hewn pinnacles and dark chambers.
Many of the rock-cut churches in the region have been restored since the 1960s. The 1960s saw the first systematic investigation of rock-cut churches. Marcell Restle and Lyn Rodley published extensive studies of the ruins. Lyn Rodley studied monastery complexes, and Andus Emge studied traditional residential buildings in Goreme in the 1990s.
The rock-hewn churches in Cappadocia are considered World Heritage Sites. As such, they are subject to governmental protection under the Protection of Cultural and Natural Resources Act, No. 2863. Furthermore, the entire area is protected under the National Parks Act No. 2873.
