Capadoccia, Turkey part 1

[Jazz]

Capadoccia is in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey and is often described as the land of fairy chimneys and troglodytes. It is about 10,000 years old. The landscape is unusual and beautiful, volcanic in origin and eroded during the millenia by man and nature. It is strange and exotic... Since the airline had lost my luggage, I walked in borrowed clothing (thank god for this woman, and it was the last time I ever travelled in a low heel)). There was simply no preparation for what I would see.

[Jazz]

Many of the cave homes are well preserved and we could explore. Of course, the vendors awaited us,







and a hopeful camel,



The cave homes had an austere beauty...

[Jazz]

There are many simple and exquisite churches within the cave dwellings. They evolved at different times, but the paint is very well preserved in some,



We spent one day in the underground cities where early Christians could live undetected by persecuting Romans...actually, less than that. As we descended, level upon level, the walls seemed to close in and the ceilings lowered. People were much shorter in those days and one of our group became horribly claustrophobic and hysterical. Even I felt uneasy and I am not that sensitive. Although this city was intriguing...I can't imagine living down there.







The people of Cappadocia value their rich and ancient heritage and it has become part of life today. Here is a present day monastery,



I spent one night at this hotel, beautiful...We went out for dinner and I saw my first (and only) whirling dervish. He was mesmerizing.

[Deleted]

Wow,those are amazing. My friend that I traveled to Turkey with in 2000 had been there and I've seen some photos but these are outstanding.
I was supposed to meet my friend in Athens and we were going to go to some Greek Islands and then sail up the coast of Turkey back to Istanbul. She was coming from Spain,I from N.Y.
My date of departure was to be 9/12/01. I never went and resent it to this day. My mother could not have withstood my flying to a foreign country that soon after.
I did see some whirling dervishes and remain amazed at the memory of.
Thank you so much.

[bixaorellana]

Stupendous, Jazz! I can imagine the jaw-dropping awe of actually seeing this in person.

So many questions -- are any of the caves still used as homes? Are the pointy "roofs" in picture #5 natural or man-made? Are camels common there?

This is wonderful -- thank you!

[Deleted]

I've only been to Istanbul, but I know that the country has tons of natural wonders. Every spring there is a big advertising campaign on television and in the metro for destinations like Turkey, which vie for several weeks of everyone's summer holiday time. So the subway walls are plastered with the wonders of Turkey at the moment.

These photos make me finally want to make the effort to get beyond Istanbul.

[Jazz]

Thank you! Ah yes, the pointy 'roofs' are natural, and I saw many camels...I rode one!



Many of the people do live in the cave houses, although they have been adapted for modern life in relative degrees. This photo most clearly shows what can be done. (not my photo) Notice the electric, telephone and TV wires...



This is my room from the hotel I stayed in the first night (above post)...



This is the 'bed and breakfast' of my second night and my room with the small arched windows...





If there isn't actual use of the caves they seem to build or cut the stone to integrate with the surroundings.

[Deleted]

Again,Wow! I would love to have one of these , add it to my list of "mood houses", get away from the world and go live in a cave,literally!

[Deleted]

That is really a perfect setting. If I buy one of those houses, though, I might add some more potted plants.

[Jazz]

Here's your real estate site, but don't forget the potted plants...haha

www.buycappadocia.com/ruinsrestore.htm

It is very lush in parts of Turkey, especially on the Turquoise coast.

[bixaorellana]

;D
Looking at this picture from the real estate site ,
I'd say we should get him pot plants & a coffee table book of Escher prints as cave-warming gifts.

[Deleted]

Pot plants or plants in pots?

[Deleted]

What is the temperature like in these caves? Obviously according to season but a general idea.

[Deleted]

Normally, cave dwellings are cool in the summer and pleasant in the winter.

In my experience, cave rooms are TOO cool in the summer, but one adapts with sweaters and extra blankets on the bed.

[bixaorellana]

So are you all going to invite everyone to a piss-up so we can see your new digs?

[hwinpp]

I never got there either. It looks like something I shouldn't have missed.

[Deleted]

hw,please tell us about your travel in this region. It's somewhere I would most certainly enjoy going back to. Even more so after seeing these photos.

[hwinpp]

I didn't go there.

I've followed the Black Sea coast to Iran and once I hitch- hiked from Istanbul to Mossul in Iraq.

The Black Sea was nicer. I loved all the greenness up there.

[Lizard]

Okay Jazz, now I'm downright envious. It looks like you had such an incredible adventure there. What a feast for the eyes! I'm going to get planning that trip today.

[nycgirl]

What a geographically fascinating place. So much to explore and photograph. It must look really magical in the early morning or evening light.

I think I'd be uneasy in that underground city as well. The history is so interesting, though, that I think I'd give it a try.

I really want to go to Turkey one day, especially here.