Imagine a terrain formed millions of years ago, a vast lava plain, created by several volcanoes and their eruptions. Fast forward through the next couple million years, through eroding winds and rain. Then imagine that thousands of years ago, hunter gatherers discovered that the basalt that created this otherworldly terrain was soft enough to carve out to create shelter. Over the next 4500 years the human hand of Cappadocia would continue to define the terrain that the volcanoes had started.
From prehistory until very recently, countless groups of people have inhabited the so-called “Fairy Chimneys” of this region. In 2000 BC, the Hittites lived there. In Roman times, Christians fled to the caves, digging layer upon layer beneath the earth, in a complex systems of tunnels. Throughout the Middle Ages, the caves were used as monasteries, as schools, as convents.
Into modern times, the caves of Cappadocia have been enlarged, refined, even modernized. While tourism increases and cave hotels afford every luxury, small groups of people continue to live in the caves that have served their families for generations. Others have had to leave because the caves have become unstable, but they continue to live close by their “ancestral” homes.
It is impossible to understand this terrain unless you experience it. It is impossible to understand how people could have lived this way, even when you are standing right on the spot and staring at it. Their lives speak: A two thousand-year old fire pit. A thousand-year old monastery dining table and bench carved directly from the rock. A depression in the cave floor where medieval grapes were crushed to make wine. Sleeping berths hollowed out in family quarters. Cave churches with frescoes from as far back as 600 AD. Tourists names and initials carved into the soft walls, some as far back as the 1800s. Convent stairways cut from the rock that wound around at precarious angles to the sleeping rooms high above.
My family and I spent three days touring the region. We hiked, we climbed, we descended, we hunched over and went cautiously through dark tunnels. We stood in awe at the sheer magnitude and at the tiniest of details. We took a hot air balloon ride at dawn and were speechless, seeing the terrain from above. We ended each day barely able to process what we had seen and learned.
(Many thanks to my beautiful daughter-in-law Janelle, whose artistic eye and steady hand capture the magic of wherever she goes)
Sylvia Morice
September 24, 2012
All I can say is, “Wow”! Amazing story and great photos to help tell it.lucky you to have visited this place. (This is my envious face here.)
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to travel there.
notquiteold
September 24, 2012
I had never heard of this place. Thank you for showing it to me.
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
I hadn’t heard of it either. I started doing research when we were planning the trip, and there it was.
Lunar Euphoria
September 24, 2012
What an awesome place. How have I never heard of it before??
It’s going on my “Places to Visit” list.
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
It’s like some great wonderful secret!
Anonymous
September 24, 2012
wonderful story and adventure, magic carpet ride indeed!
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
Thanks!
John
September 24, 2012
The terrain reminds me of Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandelier_National_Monument
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
I took a look at the link, and it does, indeed.
cerise99
September 24, 2012
Thankyou for this wonderful introduction to an amazing placethat is now on my bucket list for sure.
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
And I hope you get there!
Audrey
September 24, 2012
The photos are amazing. What a trip! It reminds me of parts of Petra with the carved out dwellings. And the hot air balloon ride is inspired. So much history and culture to explore in one place…
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
Yes, a bit of it is like Petra (which I have only seen from photos). The history and culture are fascinating, indeed.
Kathryn McCullough
September 24, 2012
Gosh, Renee, looks and sounds like an amazing visit. I know how hard it can be to take it all in. Your daughter-in-law’s photos are, indeed, stunning. I’ve been away from blogging for a few weeks, but I think I’m back now. About time, right?
Hugs,
Kathy
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
Ah Kathy, you have been leading an exciting life. Between work, travel, and WordPress dropping all of my subscriptions to everyone’s blog (don’t ask) except for three bloggers, I have been out of the loop as well. I’ve continued to post when I can, but I haven’t been focused on it like I was in the past.
cindyricksgers
September 24, 2012
Outstanding photos, and awe-inspiring words…thank you!
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
Wow, thank YOU.
speedingthroughparadise
September 24, 2012
Wonderful
benzeknees
September 25, 2012
Beautiful pics! I’ve never seen anything like it!
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 26, 2012
Yes, the terrain is vast and each area has its own unique flavor, based on the topography. I could have posted 100 photos.
writingfeemail
September 25, 2012
Looks captivating!
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
That it is. I’m still in a dream state over it.
Marion Driessen
September 25, 2012
It must have been a wonderful holiday, Renee. My compliments to your daughter-in-law.
Life in the Boomer Lane
September 25, 2012
I’ll pass along your compliment. Janelle is an artist in Charleston.
Christine Grote
September 30, 2012
This sounds like an absolutely fascinating trip. Thanks for sharing it.