Writer: Mustafa Kaya
August 2010

Generally fireplaces in Cappadocia are made either by carving into the rocks or by using different stones. It is also possible to see the ones constructed in three pieces and made of stucco or pumice. Unfortunately the examples of original fireplaces in the region are very limited.
Finding tandoori and fireplaces together in rock carved rooms and fire placed rooms, make us believe in that fireplaces were designed as ornamental fact. The never used fireplaces or fireplaces without any chimney support a lot the thesis. The best choices have been done for the room facades, where the fireplaces are situated and these facades gain entireness with items like cupboard, taka (the local name for the niches used as shelves) and with shelves.
It is also thought that some of the fireplaces have been constructed for security reasons. It is understood that old vertical tunnels were used as fireplace chimney and sometimes the chimneys were used not for heating but for escaping.

Motives
It is possible to divide the Cappadocia fireplaces, called as “furnace” by the locals, into two periods. The ones constructed during the first period, have classic motives such as life tree, horizontal “S” letter, sun, moon and cross shapes and reliefs in envelope shape. The two horizontal “S” motives cultivated on the frontal of the fireplaces correspond to “furnace” word in Turkish. Because “furnace” means “family” and “S” motives stand for fertility, reproduction and enrichment. The life tree motive can be found on the pillar stone of the fireplace. A sun disk with a scape (or a moon, even sometimes a cross) comes out from the middle of the two “S” motives on the frontal side. There are places for matches or tinder on two sides of the disk and over it the palmet motive or the taka shape for knickknacks can be found. The side and above edges have envelope shape relieves motives. This type can be also seen in Çatalhöyük and Cappadocia dovecotes.
After Sened-i İttifak (charter of alliance), signed on 1808, the fireplaces in Anatolian houses and residences were more ornamented and polished. Mostly, they were constructed due to the perception of the owner by aspiring to the examples in Istanbul.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, August 2010 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