Traveling inside Turkey, inland to the central plains of the country, Central Anatolia, is indeed a mysterious journey. It is the beginning of a journey into the past of the oldest civilizations known to man. Enjoy a landscape where nature is wild, where wind and rain combined through the centuries and have created beautiful forms of delusional and complex that gave life to a great work of art.

The majestic results of these projects are gloriously in a perfect triangle formed by Ankara, the young capital chosen at the end of the Ottoman Empire and who now represents the developed part of Anatolia, Konya, home to some of the latest findings from the Neolithic period, a legacy of the past, one of the cradles of civilization which still remains well preserved with an unparalleled collection of architecture and seljuquida and Goreme Valley, the land of surrealism and religion.

Cappadocia, covered by volcanic mountains like Erciyes and Hasan, resulting in a floor extremely soft and durable, this fascinating sculpture of nature and man has been recorded on a apparently desolate land for centuries. The landscape is decorated with tortuous mazes of cones, chimneys and slopes on all sides. Before the Persian invasion, Cappadocia stretched from the Black Sea, north of the Taurus mountains, south of the Euphrates and from east to west with the river Tatta. Today, Cappadocia is compressed to the north by the river Halys, to the east by the Euphrates and south by the River Seyhan and Ceyhan.

Underground Cities

The man used natural building underground cities in Cappadocia. To escape persecution and armed Roman invasions during the seventh century, Christians in the region, complete built underground cities, some as deep as 14 floors, where they could live for months without being discovered. They hid so well that some cities were not discovered until 1960. Among the most famous and well excavated is Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı. To escape the immediate danger over short period of time, the entry of Derinkuyu was very near the present city. This city had less comfort than Kaymaklı with its vineyards, supply areas, chapels, tombs and stables.

Goreme

The caves in the region were not only used as houses and as shelters, but also as spiritual refuges. The Goreme Valley is known for its churches carved into the rocks. Built between the ages 7 and 13, it is said that in Goreme there is a church for every day of the year. The use of stones and the design of its interiors are fascinating. Fully preserved for centuries, the original frescoes celebrate the faith of the new Christian era. The only light entering the churches is the natural light that is filtered at the entrance. If you look away, you’ll see empty shells from windows forms carved in the rocks of the mountains. Most churches are small. The design of the chamber was made in the shape of a crucifix.

Most famous Churches in Goreme Open Air Museum:

Elmali

This “Apple” Church dates back to the 11th century. Inside cross-shaped, yellow ocher in the region dominates the frescoes that decorate the crypt. Like many churches in Cappadocia, the peeling of the paintings reveal the color red, which is a Christian symbol of the iconoclastic era. Most of the themes of the frescoes are related to Christian Era.

Çarikli

The church is named after Carik shoe brands in its territory, to visit will have to climb the stairs. While the altar is in ruins, the cycle of frescoes depicting the life of Christ are only slightly damaged. The portrait of the four evangelists is very interesting, you can see that the evangelists around the center of the dome of Christ the creator.

Yilanli

Dates from the 11th century, the church was originally built as a chapel for funeral services. It is not only famous for the amount of fresh, but by its content. Death of the Dragon (hence the name of the Church) by St George and Theodore on horseback adorns the crypt. The Emperor Constantine (306-337 AD) and his mother Helena were devotees of the holy St. George and Theodore.

Some Towns and Valleys

Çavusin

The extensive erosion in this town forcing residents to flee their homes in the hills and go to the next land. This ghost town is still full of life inside their church of San Juan Bautista (eighth century) and Cavusin (10th). The entry site of the church of today was originally the altar, having to climb the iron stairs to visit. The second church in greater detail after Tokali church, frescoes illustrate different stories from the New Testament predominantly red and green color, this detail is very common in this region.

Soganli Valley

Embedded in a steep mountain, the unique beauty of this dusty town is contrasted by the dry climate and a mixture of rocky streams and vegetation. Among the churches there are two Kubeli churches of two floors of particular interest. The natural structure of the rocks was done to give the impression of a dome designed geometrically.

Ihlara Valley

The valley was formed by volcanic eruptions of Mount Hasan Dagi, producing up Melendiz throats. This region between Ihlara and Selime was very populous. Today, more than a hundred monasteries and churches dating from the 10 to 13 centuries and still gaps in their rocks. In a church dedicated to St. George, you can enjoy inscriptions with the names of the Sultan of Seljuk and Byzantine emperor (Giyasettin Mesud II and Andronicus II), illustrating the religious tolerance of Turkish leaders.