Cappadocia is a mesmerizing region, famous for its fairytale-like speckled rock formations, fascinating caves, and historical remains of semi-reclusive people.
The area served as a refuge for Christians fleeing from Roman persecution in the past, and it was founded by a group of monks in the 4th century AD.
The exceptional landscape, characterized by rocky hills of varying shapes, was eroded by weathering and water over many years, giving rise to a unique karst landscape that resembles the surface of the moon.
The region of Cappadocia, situated on the Anatolian plateau, boasts rolling hills, gullies, and ravines, and the gullies and valleys are home to forests of stone pillars that rise majestically towards the sky.
South of the area, Mount Elgias and Mount Hassan were formerly active volcanoes, and the magma and ash from these volcanoes cooled and solidified to form a thick layer of tuff.
Over time, the tuff was exposed to the sun and eroded by wind, rain, and snow, resulting in the formation of gorges and gullies on the ground and caverns in the ground.
The firmer parts of the tuff remained, forming a variety of rock formations such as cliffs, folds, stalagmites, and pillars that resemble mushrooms, stumps, and minarets, creating an open-air museum of strange rocks.
The largest museum of curious rocks is located near Jurime, a small village with only 30 or 40 families.
Inside and outside the village, there are endless pillars of stone, with jagged rocks that vary in height from a few meters to dozens of meters.
Some pillars resemble slender electric poles, while others look like huge bunkers. The rocks come in different colors, including light red, ochre, brown, grey, earthy, and creamy white.
The surface of the rocks is highly polished, constantly changing its hue in response to the sun and the shadows of the clouds.
Cappadocia is not only famous for its unique landscape, but it is also a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, even nominated three years before the latter.
Visitors can explore highlights such as the Greme Valley and the Ihlara Gorge, as well as some incredible underground cities.
The region also offers some fantastic experiences such as hot air balloon rides over the mountains of mushroom houses, visits to local pigeon houses, and five-star hotels built in caverns.
Cappadocia is a region that should be on everyone's bucket list, offering a one-of-a-kind experience with its peculiar landscape and rich history.
Visitors can explore its strange rock formations, fascinating caves, and historical remains while also enjoying unique experiences that are not found in any other Arab city. The region is truly a natural wonder and a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature.
