The history of Cappadocia began in prehistoric times. The area is a famous and popular tourist destination, as it has several cone-shaped geological formations. It is southwest of the major city Kayseri, which has airline and railroad service to Ankara and Istanbul. After the eruption of Mt. Erciyes about 2000 years ago, the lava formed soft rocks in the Cappadocia Region. People of Goreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries.
There are many places to visit in Cappadocia like; Fairy Chimneys, Göreme Valley National Park and rock churches, underground cities of Kaymakli, Derinkuyu or Ozkonak, Zelve Valley and Pasabag, Avanos with its pottery and carpets, Uçhisar rock fortress, Ortahisar rock fortress, Ürgüp, Ihlara valley, Soganli, Sinasos and Hacibektas.
Goreme Open-Air Museum (Goreme) Goreme is in the middle of Cappadocia. One of the top attractions in the region, this outdoor museum contains the remains of many churches carved into the famous Cappadocia stone. Of note are the many excellent frescoes that can be seen when exploring the various structures
Pigeon Houses Near Uchisar is a valley that has become quite popular with hikers. It is known by many names (Valley of the Pigeon Lofts, Dovecote Valley, Pigeon Valley) but they all refer to the thousands of pigeon houses that have been carved into the soft tufa since ancient times. Although they can be found throughout Cappadocia, they are especially plentiful in this valley which must have one of the greatest collections of pigeon lofts in the world.
Kaymakli (Nevsehir) One of the famous underground cities of Cappadocia, Kaymakli contains over 100 tunnels with low, narrow and sloping passages. Although the structure goes deeper than 100 feet below ground, only the first four floors are open for public viewing.
Hot Air Balloon Flight A hot air balloon flight is different from all other experiences of flight which there have no sensetion of motion. Travelling at heights up 1500 feet makes you feel peaceful and tranquil. The earth slowly descends and rotates below you. Within moments after lifting off you become at ease while you effortlessly drift over the treetops and the spectacular Cappadocian landscape. It is like a dream of gently float over the countryside in complete harmony with your surroundings.
Underground Cities Although referred to as cities, the underground communities of Cappadocia probably served as temporary shelters rather than as permanent hidden cities. The incessant darkness is hardly conducive to life and some of the passageways are little more than crawling spaces that would have been intolerable in long-term situations. No one is certain as to the number of underground communities that exist or even by whom they were built. The two largest communities that have been unearthed are located at Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, 20 and 30 kms. south of Nevsehir on the Nevsehir-Nigde road.
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