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After the eruption of the Mount Erciyes about 2000 years ago, the
Cappadocia Region, Goreme being the
heart of the region, was covered with ash. This ash hardened and
became so-called tufa which is basically soft rock. In the
meantime, with water and wind, nature eroded these soft rocks to
form the famous fairy chimneys of Goreme. At the same time, people
found out that this soft rocks could be easily carved out to form
houses, churches, monasteries. Goreme was a monastic center
between 300-1200 AD.
First period settlement in Goreme reaches to the
Roman period from
Christianity. Yusuf Koc,
Ortahane, Durmus Kadir and Bezirhane churches in Goreme, houses and
churches carved into rocks till to Uzundere, Bagildere and Zemi Valley
carries the mystical side of history today.
Find an Hotel in Cappadocia at Thomas Cook.
 The
Goreme Open Air Museum is the most visited site of the monastic
communities in Cappadocia and is one of the most famous sites in
central Turkey. It is a complex comprising more than 30
rock-carved churches and chapels containing some superb
frescoes, dating from the 9th to the 11th centuries.
Inconspicuous from the outside, the interiors are
characteristically Byzantine style with a central dome and a
floor plan in the shape of a cross (there are rectangle shaped
churches too). The three columned churches, the Elmali,
Karanlik and Carikli churches are the best known ones and are
superbly painted. The largest and best preserved church in
Goreme is the Tokali Church
(Book - Tokali Church) .
 Its
interior walls are covered in some of the richest frescoes in
the region depicting scenes from the New Testament.
Goreme is the ideal base for a complete exploration of the
Cappadocia region. In Goreme, you can find walking maps and almost
every kind of transport (including camels!) is available for longer
trips around. There is a wide variety of accomodation faicilities
in Goreme.
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