The area was first settled by humans around 10,000 years ago. From 3,500 to 1,200 BC Cappadocia belonged to a powerful Hittite nation. In the 8th century BC, the administration was taken over by Phrygians. They were overthrown by the Persians five hundred years later. Alexander the Great occupied the area in 333 BC. Cappadocia was a Roman state that was part of the Byzantine Empire. It is also where early Christian saints like St. Paul found refuge, where they taught and lived. Cappadocia is now a prominent region in modern Turkey, with a predominant focus on agriculture and tourism.

istanbul to cappadocia by bus WHAT TO SEE and WHERE: Fairy Chimneys are created by wind erosion, which results in smaller pieces of rock remaining on top of larger and more softer rock columns. George Lucas was so impressed by this outlandish landscape that he originally planned to film Star Wars episodes in the area. These fairy chimneys are located in a stunning valley between the towns of Urgup and Nevseshir. The area was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Many fairy chimneys were inhabited over many years. There are rooms, windows, and staircases that have been laboriously curved inside, creating 5-storey structures. Some of these chimneys are now used to provide services for tourists as pensions. Derinkuyu is the largest of the 36 underground cities in this area. It is located at 29km from Nevsehir which is the provincial capital of 7,000 residents. The underground city of Derinkuyu, which is under a hill was discovered by chance and made accessible to the public in 1965. It has a surface area of 4 km2. It can house 2,000 households and is located on 7 floors below the surface. The depth ranges from 70 to 85 meters.

According to archeologists, the Hittites are believed to have been the first inhabitants of underground communities. These complexes included living quarters with kitchens, living rooms, churches, water wells and horse stables. The elaborate subterranean systems were used both by those who accepted Christianity as a refuge and to worship. Kaymakly is the next largest underground city, located 20 kilometers from Nevsehir. Although only four underground levels have been discovered, it is believed that there could be more. A tunnel connects the underground cities Kaymakli & Derinkuyu (9km long!) It measures over 2 meters in width, but is closed to the public because parts of it have fallen.

We should also mention the Tatlarin underground community with Christian frescos and Ozkonak underground monastery. Rock cut Christian churches. Cappadocia was home to over 400 Christian churches and chapels from the Byzantine period up until the 13th Century. Many of them were made in fairy chimneys, in hills, and in underground caves. It was built at the start of the 10th century. The largest church in the area is the Tokali. It is decorated with a cycle that depicts the life of Jesus and is found in Goreme. Also located in Goreme, the Karanlik church is one of the best preserved churches in Cappadocia. It has lively paintings that depict the consecrations of Jesus, the Last Supper and the Apostles. Near Nigde, the Eskigumus rock-cut monastery is the only one that has a fresco with smiling Virgin Mary.

The monastery was discovered in 1963 and has been free from vandalism since then. The well-preserved wall painting that decorate the large church are a great example of Byzantine art.