Thursday, February 10, 2011

Land of Beautiful Horses

 

Cappadocia is a large region in central Turkey and is famous for its natural wonders, bizarre rock formations such as fairy chimneys, and its unique cultural and historical heritage. People made their homes here as early as 6th Century BC and it was probably one of my favorite places in Turkey to visit. We spent some time in the small town of Gorëme and I really enjoyed hiking around the slot canyons and snow covered valleys that surround the town. There were several high plateaus that offered incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

Cappadocia has a rich history and has been home to many kingdoms and empires over the centuries. Each of these civilizations left their unique marks on the landscape. The soft rocks and cliffs of the area made ideal caves and those caves still exist today, scattered all over and tucked around every corner. Early Christians used the area to hide from persecution and lived in elaborate underground cities.