Goreme
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 in Goreme could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and 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.
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. The Goreme Museum 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 in Goreme, 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. 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.