Cappadocia

Beyond the visible wonders of the fairy chimneys lies a world that is perhaps even more astonishing: the subterranean cities of Cappadocia. For this part of our journey, we move away from the light of the valleys and descend into…

We begin our descent into De-rin-koo-yoo, the deepest and most famous of Cappadocia's underground cities. As you step down the narrow stone stairs, you are entering a network that extends eight levels underground, reaching a…

We now emerge into the light to visit the Zel-veh Open Air Museum, a vast cave settlement that was inhabited until as recently as 1960. Unlike the more monastic Goreme, Zel-veh was a vibrant agricultural village where Christians…

Our journey takes us to the town of Avanos, situated on the banks of the Kizil-ir-mak, or the Red River. This is the longest river in Turkey, and it is the source of the red clay that has defined the town's identity for nearly…

Returning to the volcanic landscape, we enter the Love Valley, perhaps the most photographed and curiously named area in Cappadocia. As you look around, the reason for the name becomes immediately apparent: the valley is filled…

The name Cappadocia is derived from the Old Persian word Kat-pa-too-ka, which translates to 'The Land of Beautiful Horses.' For thousands of years, the horses of this region were prized as imperial gifts and were famous for their…

Our final stop is the town of Or-ta-hi-sar, dominated by its massive ninety-meter-high rock castle. The name means 'middle citadel,' reflecting its central position among the historical settlements. …

Our journey through the subterranean and ancient sites of Cappadocia has revealed a world that is as deep as it is wide. We have moved from the eighty-meter depths of De-rin-koo-yoo to the ninety-meter heights of Or-ta-hi-sar,…