Writer: Alaaddin Ağcaer
April 2007

Dear readers, what about a short journey through time? I hope this will be an exploration taking you from prehistoric times to today while invoking nostalgic feelings.

Millions of years ago, lava from volcanoes erupted to cover a wide area called Cappadocia, in the middle of Anatolia, and created layers of rock of different thickness and softness over the lakes and rivers. Over time, this soft rock was eroded by the rain, the wind, the rivers and floodwaters and created these strange shapes that we call fairy chimneys. Found densely in the valleys of the Avanos-Uçhisar-Ürgüp triangle, fairy chimneys are called different names such as capped, mushroom shaped, columnar and sharp.
As well as fairy chimneys, there are other interesting land formations that are worth seeing in Cappadocia. These appealing and present witnesses of the changes in nature are waiting for you to visit and document with your photographs for future generations. As there are no other places in the world where you can encounter these 10 million year-old formations, we can characterize the fairy chimneys and the other formations as nature’s unique gift to Anatolia.
Since prehistoric times, with its abundant soil and unique geological structure, Cappadocia has been a settlement for many different civilisations. Assyrian Commerce Colonies, Hittities, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans have all lived here. First Christians took advantage of the soft rock and carved houses, temples, and storage depots in the fairy chimneys as well as in the rocks above and under ground. They left an invaluable cultural heritage behind by decorating these structures with frescos and cave drawings.
These dwellings, provided by nature to humans in times of war, immigration and conquest, changed hands between these cultures until today. It is impossible not to be fascinated by these centuries-old underground cities, built to save lives and religion, especially in Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, with their mysterious and astonishing architecture.
If you want to go on a special journey one day where you can see structures millions of years old, you should visit Cappadocia. Today the area that covers Nevsehir in the center, and parts of Aksaray, Kayseri, Niğde and Kırşehir is called Cappadocia. You can stay in the rooms carved in fairy chimneys, visit and admire the decorations of the houses and temples that were carved in rocks by people who were running away from oppression and assaults, and be mesmerised by the underground cities.
Of course, Cappadocia is ready to welcome you with its wine, local food, special accommodation and friendly people as long as you decide to go on to this unusual journey and experience the difference. The best memories of your life will take shape in Cappadocia.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, April 2007 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com