Cappadocia beckons with its geographical wonders

DEFINITELY one of the most interesting places on Earth, the Cappadocia (Kapadokya in local language) region in Turkiye features fascinating topography never duplicated anywhere.

Scientific findings and domestic tale both point that the geographical wonders were formed when the three volcanoes – the Erciyes Mountain, Melendiz Mountain and Hasandag, now all dormant – erupted millions of years ago that over time created layers of sediment, "with the underneath layers more solid than the newer, softer upper levels of sediment."

Such is the cluster of fairy chimneys in Urgup, Goreme, Nevsehir. Some locals call it "the mushrooms," according to tour guide Aret.

As explained both by live Turkish guides and the journals, "the formation of the fairy chimneys is just an example of wind and water erosion in an extreme state. The early stages of erosion are visible in the graceful channels and dunes of the valleys; but as the elements carve away at the channels, the mass of tufa splits from its supports and forms pillars or pyramids."

"Without the protection of those teetering basalt boulders caught in the balance of gravity and time, the pillars slowly whittle down to nothing, and the crowning boulder eventually comes crashing to the ground."

Legend says that the chimney-like formations have actually been abodes of fairies; and when they leave, they come back as pigeons.

Within the region is the Pigeon Valley, where the birds were trained as messengers thousands of years before modern civilization.

Cappadocia is also home to many caves, made as homes and even churches by the early Christians.

"Forty years ago, there was not much interest in these geographical wonders. Now they have been made into hotels [and became the region's major industry] along with the Hot Air Balloon, which is not just Cappadocia's main attraction but the whole of Turkiye as well," informed the guide.

Land of beautiful horses

Cappadocia (from the Hittite word "Katpatuka") literally means "the land of beautiful horses."

It is said that the region owes its survival from the actual horses that pummel the ground to this day.

The horses of yore were noted for their speed, skill and "surefootedness" in the battlefield. Horse breeders in the region were highly sought-after by kings, princes and emperors.

The beautiful horses of Cappadocia are now used – not as currency or medium of exchange in deals and agreements between kingdoms and domains – but as tourist attractions both to be marveled upon by admiring eyes or for riding for pleasure and leisure to enjoy the valleys and rock formations that abound the region.

Early Christian abode and churches

The Goreme National Park and Open-Air Museum stands as a testament to how early Christians lived together to keep their faith. Fleeing from Roman soldiers from one side and the Persians from the other side, they founded the caves as their safe havens.

Since the converts could not read Greek, Roman, Hebrew or Arabic, around the caves made as churches are illustrations of Jesus, Mary, the Apostles and even Constantine and his mother,

Underground cities

While the wonders above ground cause amazement to the human eye and psyche, the underground cities can blow the mind of the modern populace for their intricate and interconnected architecture and topography which talk of myriads of ideas and concepts of smart engineering, irrigation, food storage and water sustenance.

Most visited is Kaymakli, an excavated subterranean city that could house up to 5.000 people.

Newer to be discovered is Derinkuyu, said to be the largest and deepest underground city that could house up to 20,000 people.

Other interesting rock formations and towns in Cappadocia are the Uchisar Castle, Ortahisar Castle, Avanos Town, Sobessos Hacibektas Town and Gulsehir Town, among others.