Words fail one in attempting to describe the appearance of this extraordinary place … W.J. Hamilton, (English geologist, July 1837)
Mar 11, 2016
Words fail one in attempting to describe the appearance of this extraordinary place …
W.J. Hamilton, (English geologist, July 1837)
Andrei Alexandra
n the heart of modern Turkey lies patch of land seems detached from another world: strange
geological formations similar to those monthly, galleries, fortresses, cities built below ground
… elements which, taken together, offer an unique flavor of this area located to the
attention of most of the time history. Cappadocia is not just layers of lava and volcanic rocks
deposited over time, but overlapping strands of history to give birth to magical story about the
conquest, lost crops and holly wars.
Cappadocia (Cappadocia) in Turkey is a region which has an area of 800 square km. Small
region located in the heart of Turkey, dominated by Mount Argaeus (today Erciyes Dagi - 3916 m)
is famous for its fantastic scenery, mysterious, strange even though the nature of the volcanic lava
of the mountain. The few European travelers who ventured into this realm centuries ago forgotten
by the world, were fascinated by the extraordinary landscape. It was the picture that needed to be
invented for this region to enter the world heritage tourism.
For Christians, Cappadocia is
the region where some of the
most important theologians of
the parents and the Church of
St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory
of Nyssa, Gregory Nazianzen
lived.
The isolation of Cappadocia
has attracted here in the first
centuries of our era the
Romans who persecuted
Christians, and X-XV centuries
was a place of solitude for many monks. So they founded the first monasteries that St. Basil's Rules
for large and small monks who strictly observe today, in all Orthodox monasteries in the world.
Currently an estimated 3,000 churches in Cappadocia carved in stone, of which the best
known are those of Goreme, Zelve, Ihlara.
I
Cappadocia landscape was formed due to
eruption of two volcanoes, Hasan Ercyes east and
west, thousands of years ago. An area of about
20,000 square miles was covered with lava, which
sometimes reached over 150 m thick. Over time,
the top layer remained strong, with a higher
content of basalt, and in depth, volcanic tufa of
different hardness’s . This porous stone, easily
carved, taking the advantage to absorb moisture
and retain heat, could be a suitable environment
for the later cave dwellings. Cappadocia is a
volcanic plateau situated in the central-southern
territory of Turkey. In 1200 BC, the Hittite
kingdom was in the area, with its capital at
Hattusa. After the disappearance of the Hittites, Phrygians reach this region, renowned horse
breeders. Later, passing under the dominion of the Medes Cappadocia, which in turn, in the sixth
century BC, coming under Persian rule. Persian administration was in the area, according to
documents kept, more than 20 satraps (governors), who had to pay annual fees in gold, silver and
horses. From this period (585-382 BC) dates and etymology of the name Cappadocia which in
Persian, Katpatuka, means "land of beautiful horses. "
Most important archaeological sit in Cappadocia on Christian best-preserved remains
Göreme. This term means "we can see here. " According to tradition and name of the place, about
two millennia, Christians have fled south to hide from Roman persecution, the Christian churches
in Göreme and that Urgup, the neighboring city, are among the oldest in the world. Taken in a
broader context, these villages are located in Nevşehir Province in Central Anatolia, a monastic
complex carved into the rock many churches and chapels covered with frescoes, which is one of
the most famous tourist attraction places in Turkey. Göreme National Park, located in the city with
the same name, was put on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Access to this area may be by
plane or bus to Istanbul or Ankara, and from here by bus in the city of Nevşehir, the old town of St.
Gregory of Nyssa.
The main objectives of this region are Goreme, Avanos, Uchisar, Urgup.
GOREME - is an old village located in
Cappadocia, a region with a strong history, located
in Turkey, which in translation means "we can see
here. " According to tradition and the place’s
name, two millennia ago, Christians have fled south
to hide from Roman persecution, so Christian
churches in Goreme and Urgup, nearby city, are
among the oldest in the world. Seen in a broader
context, it is located in central Anatolian province of Nevsehir. Goreme National Park, located in
the village with the same name, was placed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. National
Museum of Goreme open air, a monastic complex carved into the stone more churches and
chapels covered with frescoes, is one of the most famous tourist attraction places in Turkey.
Hunchbacked gnomes or fearsome giants, the rocks in the village of Goreme, in the heart
of Cappadocia, to let imagination run wild visitors. Behind the story is the erosion phenomenon:
because it has a soft volcanic rock, the water and the wind have carved a hassle.
Troglodyte dwellings, homes, cave, caves, church, or stone columns and Kaymakli underground
cities where Christians were hiding communities in times of persecution, are some of the wonders
of Cappadocia.
AVANOS - is particularly famous for pottery
workshops and weaving school. Here the tourist is invited to
watch and understand the crafts but at the same time, in a kind of
tacit consent, he is invited to buy the work of craftsmen. There is
no need to feel offended or manipulated. After all, why would you
buy in a store and not directly from the hand of one who did?
The workshop is situated on the river, in Avanos .
Workshop - huge have a tradition of 11 generations and was
included in a joint program of the Ministries of Culture and
Tourism of Turkey.
Anatolian carpets weaving school made known worldwide, and the authorities seem
determined not to let the craft to lose or industrialize. Here, the village women come to learn how
to weave a carpet. You can see how to extract the silk from cocoons, which makes you think how
many mulberry leaves are required, you can also see what is extracted from natural paints and
stains like wires.
It is not known when Uchisar
was first inhabited, but is located in the
highest point in the region. Uchisar is a
town in Central Anatolia region of Turkey
and part of the biblical Cappadocia region.
The city is known for its many hotels that
are built in caves. One of the best known
sights the city that offers a magnificent
panorama of the surrounding area. Many
rooms carved into the rock are connected with stairs, tunnels and passageways. At the entrances
of rooms, there are millstone doors, just like those in the underground settlements, used to
control access to these places. Because of erosion in many places of this multi-leveled castle, it is
not possible to reach, unfortunately.
ÜRGÜP - located approx. 7 km
from Goreme, 20 km from Nevşehir,
is a city situated at the edge of the
hill called the Hill of desires, based
on 20 km north of Nevsehir
province, the first settlement in
Cappadocia region. Ürgüp is a very
beautiful city with a long history. In
ancient times was known as
"Ossianna" later in the sovereignty
of the Seljuks was named as "Başhisar" and then "Kalesi Borough (Borough Fortress) by the
Ottomans and finally the" Ürgüp "the at the beginning of the Republic of Turkey.
Urgup, is a bustling tourist center, which once again can see how people lived in houses,
cut into rocks.
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REFERENCES: - Cappadocia, a shining testimony of Christian civilization - Augustin PĂUNOIU - `` light `` Source-newspaper - http://www.centruldepelerinaj.ro
- http://think.hotnews.ro