Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a historic region in central Anatolia, largely within present-day Turkey’s Nevşehir Province, with portions extending into Kayseri, Aksaray, and Niğde. The landscape is shaped by soft volcanic tuff from ancient eruptions, which erosion has carved into tall pillars, cones, and extensive cave systems. The area is famous for its “fairy chimneys,” as well as hidden cave dwellings and rock-cut churches that reflect centuries of adaptation to the terrain.

Human activity in Cappadocia dates back to the Hittites and continued under successive empires, including Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine rule. Early Christians carved settlements and sanctuaries into the rock, creating a network of cave homes, monasteries, and underground cities. Prominent underground complexes such as Derinkuyu and Kaymakli were developed to shelter communities during times of danger, while above-ground sites preserved religious and daily life in carved churches and chapels.

Cappadocia was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 as Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia. The Göreme Open Air Museum preserves a remarkable collection of medieval rock-cut churches with frescoes. Today the region’s economy relies on tourism, agriculture, and crafts, including pottery from Avanos along the Kızılırmak River. Visitors commonly engage in hot air ballooning, hiking through valleys, and exploring the extensive cave networks and historic churches that define the landscape.