13-03-2023 -
Places
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
Cappadocia is full of wonderful places to visit, amazing things to see, and incredible food to taste! In this article, we are going to look at the amazing rock formations of Cappadocia in Göreme National Park. This amazing place is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its authentic natural formations. Before we start looking closely at this world heritage area, let us share an easy way to share an opportunity to save time & money in your Cappadocian journey.
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About Göreme National Park
Göreme Valley and its surrounds have rock-hewn sanctuaries that offer rare proof of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. This stunning environment was fully carved by erosion. There are also dwellings, troglodyte villages, and underground settlements, which are relics of an ancient human home from the fourth century.
Located in central Anatolia within a volcanic landscape sculptured by decay to form a sequence of mountain peaks, valleys, and structures known as “fairy chimneys”, Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia cover the region between the towns of Ürgüp and Avanos, the sites of Karain, Karlık, Yeşilöz, Soğanlı and the underground cities of Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu. So it is a huge area.
Erciyes Mountain and Hasan Mountain, two ranges of extinct volcanoes, form the area's southern and eastern boundaries. It is one of the most impressive and substantial cave-dwelling complexes in the world due to the density of its rock-hewn cells, churches, troglodyte towns, and underground cities within the rock formations. Cappadocia is one of the best examples of the post-iconoclastic Byzantine art period while being fascinating from a geological and ethnographic perspective because of the extraordinary beauty of the decor of the Christian shrines.
Home of First Signs of Monastic Activity
The first indications of monastic activity in Cappadocia are thought to have appeared in the 4th century, when small anchorite groups moved into cells hewn out of the rock in accordance with the teachings of Basileios the Great, Bishop of Kayseri. Later, they began uniting to form troglodyte communities or underground towns like Kaymakli or Derinkuyu that functioned as safe havens in order to stave against Arab invasions.
Throughout the iconoclastic period between 725-842, Cappadocian monasticism was already well established as evidenced by the ornamentation of numerous sanctuaries, which retained a rigorous minimum of symbols, most often sculpted or tempera-painted crosses. Nonetheless, many rupestral churches were excavated in Cappadocia after 842 and lavishly embellished with colorful figurative paintings. Tokal Kilise and El Nazar Kilise from the 10th century, Sakli Kilise and St. Barbara Kilise from the 11th century, and Elmali Kilise and Karanlik Kilise from the Göreme Valley are some examples.
Harmony of Humans with Nature
The Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia are harmonious landscape that combines human interaction and settlement with striking natural formations despite having been extensively exploited and altered by man for ages. Several of the cones and pillars have seen some earthquake damage, however, this is thought to be a naturally occurring occurrence. Sadly, there have been reports of excessive tourist use, some vandalism, and the introduction of certain inappropriate constructions.
New fairy chimneys and rock pillars will continue to be built by the same erosional processes that produced the distinctive conical rock structures, but due to the speed of this process, the property's natural qualities may still be in danger from unsustainable use. Cultural landmarks, such as rock-carved churches and other comparable monuments, are irreplaceable and are mostly at risk of being destroyed by erosion and other harmful natural processes, as well as pressure from urbanization.
Cappadocia: the One and Only
Cappadocia is an amazing place and according to the UNESCO World Heritage List criteria, the region satisfies the requirements for authenticity since the cultural and natural qualities specified in the inscription criteria are properly represented by its values and their attributes, including its historical setting, form, design, material, and workmanship.
The underlying morphological structure and the challenges associated with handling the material inhibited the builders' creative impulses because of the technical challenges of building in this area, where it is necessary to hew out structures within the natural rock, creating architecture by the removal of material instead of by putting it together to form the elements of a building. Over subsequent eras and civilizations, this molding of human effort by environmental conditions stayed largely unchanged, affecting the cultural attitudes and technological prowess of each succeeding generation.
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FAQ
Why is Cappadocia so famous?
The region of Cappadocia is famous for its unique rock formations, rich history, underground cities, and picturesque hot air balloon rides. This historic area, which is located in Central Anatolia, draws large numbers of visitors from all over the world.
What is the best month to visit Cappadocia?
The months of April through mid-June are ideal for travel to Cappadocia. The region experiences warm days, blooming vegetation, and little rainfall in the spring and early summer. The most affordable months to travel to Cappadocia are November through January. In Cappadocia, September and October are also great times with fewer tourists.
Is it safe to travel to Cappadocia now?
Cappadocia is a pretty safe place to travel in terms of crime. While there are instances of small crime, it's usually not an issue for visitors. In Cappadocia, robberies and assaults are uncommon, and typically they are not directed at tourists. You’ll feel safe in Cappadocia.
Is Cappadocia colder than Istanbul?
The typical temperature of Istanbul on a cold day, which is coastline but in the north, is 11°C. With typical temperatures of 6-7°C, inland regions like Cappadocia are significantly colder.
