Kapadokya - Gün 1

So, we woke up nice and early to catch a METU-organized bus tour to Kapadokya/Cappadocia.

To summarize generic Kapadokya-ian history: some Saints came to Kapadokya, bringing Christianity. The Romans didn't allow Christianity at the time, so the citizens made some hidden churches in the hills. These "hills" (sometimes called "fairy chimneys") were formed by various volcanoes around Kapadokya, and the weathering away of those materials.

Anyways, after a 4 hour drive, we ended up at ?????. Basically, a park with some hidden churches, relatively deserted by most tourists.


A view of ????? before descending the stairs downwards (note the caves to the left)


I believe these are homes for pigeons- pigeon eggs were used to make dyes.


The outside of a hidden church


Wall painting detail

During the Hittite period (1800-1200 BC), some hills were carved into giant underground cities. These cities would be hundreds of meters tall, and some cities would even have tunnels connecting each other. Each home would have a tunnel leading to the city, so they may hide in times of attack. The Byzantines eventually modified this Hittite work, making new rooms and closing others.


"Kaymakli Underground City is not for clausterphobics" - this is why - we spend much of our travelling time kneeling and squatting in tiny passageways. The Hittites were a much smaller people.

After Kaymakli Underground City, we visited "The Three Beauties"- three of the most well preserved fairy chimneys, as seen below:



A view to the left of the Three Beauties

We then had a tour of the Turason Cappdocia Wine factory, where we were basically walked past the room where the wine ferments, and then dumped out into the wine shop. Then they commenced to serve us so-so wine, and expect us to buy alcohol. I think not.

On our way to the hotel, the bus was knocked out cold:


Our hotel was located in Ortahisar and was very nice. We were three random people to a room. Some of us took a dip in the (very cold) pool, which had a great view of the town: