Words fail one in attempting to describe the appearance of this extraordinary place ‌ W.J. Hamilton, (English geologist, July 1837)
Andrei Alexandra
I
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.
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.
________________________________________________________________________________ REFERENCES: Cappadocia, a shining testimony of Christian civilization - Augustin PĂUNOIU - `` light `` Source-newspaper http://www.centruldepelerinaj.ro http://think.hotnews.ro