Nevsehir, Turkey

Nevsehir is the capital of the Cappadocia region and is a perfect starting point for visiting the area fully. The first settlements date back to 3000 BC; and its oldest name was "Nyssa". The city also has some interesting remains from the Seljuk period, like the castle which stands at the highest point of the city. The Kursunlu Mosque has an impressive complex of buildings and a medresse surrounding it which dates back to 1726. The museum displays a rich collection of the local finds.

Gulsehir, and Hacibektas which is the town where Haci Bektas Veli settled in the 14th century, and set up his own Bektas Dervish order which was based on love and humanism. Hacibektas is famous for its onyx souvenirs.

GOREME NATIONAL PARK (CAPPADOCIA)

Cappadocia has one of the most interesting and spectacular landscapes in the world. About three millions years ago the volcanoes of Mt. Erciyes and Mt. Hasan covered the surrounding plateau with volcanic tuff as a result of their violent eruptions. The natural effects of wind, water and rain eroded this area into a spectacular, surrealist landscape of rock caves, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines in colors ranging from warm tones of red and gold to cool tones of green and gray.

Dating back to 4000 BC; the earliest people used to live in Goreme, known as Cappadocia, in dwellings dug into the rock. Christianity came to the region, and chapels, churches and monasteries were constructed in the rocks. At Derinkuyu, Mazi and Kaymakli, cities were developed underground in order to hide from raiders. There is another underground city -Ozkonak- which is also open to public. They are really amazing to visit, and give a sense of the way people must have felt while living underground.

Urgup, 20 kms east of Nevsehir, is a lively tourist center and has all the characteristics of the region. Besides this, it is the center of a wine producing region and every year in October an International Wine Festival is held. It is an excellent place to stay to tour among the sights in daytime, and to find amusement in discos and bars at night. In Urgup you can see how people once lived in houses carved into the rock, along the narrow streets. This is a good place for buying carpets and kilims, as many varieties are offered. Pancarlik Valley, the Mustafapasa (Sinassos) and Cemil villages, with their traditional stone houses, the Taskinpasa and Sahinefendi villages where 12th century Kirksehitler Church is located, Devrent and Catalkaya Valleys are famous for their fairy chimneys, and are the places not to be missed.

Goreme Open Air Museum, 8 km northwest of Urgup, is an monastic complex of rock churches, and chapels decorated with frescoes. The churches, of Elmali, St. Basil, St. Barbara, Yilanli, Karanlik, Carikli, and Tokali, are of particular interest and their frescoes are very well preserved. Many pilgrims still visit the churches. The cities of Goreme and Uchisar provide a bewitching scenery of cones and chimney formations from a wonderland before your eyes. Uchisar Fortress which is the highest point and the view from its top is enchanting. In Cavusin you will find the monastery of St. John the Baptist. The attractive town of Avanos is famous for its handicrafts, especially pottery, and you may try at this craft yourself in one of the many studios. Soganli has a picturesque beauty with dozens of chapels, churches, halls and tombs. The Byzantine development of fresco art can be observed from the 8th and 13th centuries in Soganli.

The town of Ortahisar is carved out of rock. The churches in the Balkan Valley are some of the oldest. Kizilcukur Valley is strikingly beautiful during sunset. You should not miss that marvelous picture.

Cappadocia is a land which seems to be fantasy. Words are useless to describe the beauty and charm of the region, you must experience it for yourself. It will certainly take a particular place in your memories and in your photograph album.