Cappadoccia, Turkey

10/11/2010

 
Cappadoccia is a magical region filled with cities built into the mountains and otherworldly fairy chimney formations. "...as a result of the vulcanic eruptions that occurred in  the region,  a large tableland formed from the vulcanic tufas and together with the erosion of the Kizilirmak river and wind over ten thousands of years there appeared the chimney rocks which are a wonder of the nature."


We toured these ancient cities built into the side of the mountains and underground. Initially they were built to protect inhabitants from wild animals and later to protect the first Christians fleeing persecution from the Romans in the 2nd century BC. These cities were made in form of rooms connected to each other.  Some of the rooms were connected to each other only with the tunnels tight and permitting passing of just one person. At the access gates of these tunnels there were huge stone rollers used for closing the tunnels for security reasons. 


We stayed in a beautiful renovated "cave hotel", far from roughing it or fleeing some persecution (other that the screeching children) we had a spectacular room with a "cave" for the kids to sleep in and a bed or our own (a rarity these days:). The Museum Hotel is filled with gorgeous antiques and tapestries (Turkey is known for) and is a truly special place. www.museum-hotel.com. 


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