Nevsehir Ili Favorites

Cappadocia - Fairy Chimneys Land

by Kuznetsov_Sergey

Capadocia is actually the name of the kingdom founded in the 3rd century after the death of Alexander the Great. Its capital then was Mazaka which took the name of Kayseri later. The name Cappadocia is thought to derive from Persian word of Katpatuka meaning ‘Land of Beautiful Horses’.The history of Rocky Cappadocia however starts with the underground cities carved by Hittites and Phrygians. Then in roman period the rocks in the valleys were carved by early Christians during the persecutions to become rock churches, dwellings, refectories etc. Learn more here and here.The story of Cappadocia as the Fairy Chimneys Land begins well over 10 million years ago, when the three most dominant peaks were active volcanoes. Subsequent eruptions dumped layers of mud, ash and lava on the area. Rain, snow and wind created a fantasy-land of rock formations, most of which resemble chimneys, cones,...

Nevsehir Ili is... Cappadocia

by call_me_rhia

A visit to Cappadocia is like a visit to Wonderland. The landscape, formed by the simultaneous and violent eruption of the volcanoes Erciyes Dagi and Hasan Dagi and moulded by the wind, rain, sun and snow, looks like a geological folly. The earth is unusual and barren, yet strangely fertile if planted… it‘s all rock-covered, yet extremely fragile and vulnerable… it takes little to break it – so the landscape is continuously changing and evolving. The valleys appear lunar-like and unreal; one has often the feeling of finding oneself in a huge garden where incredible stony flowers grow and bloom. At every turn one encounters a different panorama of shapes and of different rusty colours: all the hues of white, yellow, ochre and brown are represented here. It is impossible to remain unmoved: here you can see nature‘s sculptures at their best. Here nature is a visionary artist: Zelve, Urgup,...

Avanos

by SirRichard

This little village in the north region is famous by its ceramics with floral blue, white and black designs.Here you can visit the artisans in their caves making the jars, plates... and learn all the process, and buy some stuff too.

Uchisar

by SirRichard

Meaning "the 3 castles" this location is the first you meet if you start the visit in Nevsehir.Is easily recognisable for its huge rock in the middle and the dove nests valley (pigeon houses carved in the rock) outside the village.

Kaimakli

by SirRichard

In this area and in the nearby Derinkuyu you can visit this subterranean cities made of hundreds of tunnels carved between the VI and X centuries.People lived here in almost 12 floors underground.The tunnels are narrow, so go early in the morning if you wanna see it without crowds.

Zelve

by SirRichard

In this area you can find rock formations called "Fairy chimneys" and a town carved in huge rocks forming enormous caves that you can visit (now is not inhabited).There are houses, churches, mills, warehouses... all in caves.

Cappadocia map

by Tuna_ank

Nevsehir at Turkiye map

by Tuna_ank

More than just rocks

by Bregman

Cappadocia is not all about rock formations. There are people here too like this shepherd and her sheep and goats.

Not for people only...

by Bregman

The carved rocks house more than just people. Pigeons are oftened found there too.