3. These pictures belong to the region of Cappadocia (Turkey), occupies an area
of nearly 10,000 ha, surrounded by 10 extinct volcanoes, its like a lunar
landscape is what distinguishes it as a unique geological formation in the world.
Included within the World Heritage of UNESCO (No. 357).
4. One of the best ways to appreciate the expansive, diverse landscape of
Cappadocia's landscape is from above, in a hot-air balloon..
5. A skilled pilot can take you right into a valley, sail through it so the rock
cones loom on either side, then climb the edge of a tall fairy chimney.
7. Sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams and “ignimbrite” diposits
that erupted from ancient volvanoes approximately 9 to 3 millions years
ago, during de Miocene to Pliocene epochs.
8. The rocks of Cappadocia near Goreme eroded into hundreds od
spectacular pillars and minaret.
9. Ignimbriteds may be white, grey, pink, beige, brown or black depeding on
their compostion and density.
10. The trip usually ends with a champagne toast, a
ballooning tradition.
11. People of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved our
houses, churches from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits.
Ortahisar
15. Kaymakly underground city. Probably was built between the V and X. Although the
lack of decoration and documentation make it difficult to set these dates, and has
been occupied by various cultures throughout the centuries. Its main function was to
give shelter to the inhabitants of the region in case of invasion. Its strategic position at
the center of the Cappadocia region, made it a haven shelter easy of the residents
16. A stable is located on the first floor. The small size of the stable could
indicate that other stables exist in the sections not yet opened. To the left
of the stable is a passage with a millstone door. The door leads into a
church. To the right of the stables are rooms, possibly living spaces.
17. The third floor contains the most important areas of the underground
compound: storage places, wine or oil presses, and kitchens.
21. Of the four floors open to tourists, each space is organized around
ventilation shafts. This makes the design of each room or open space
dependent on the availability of ventilation.
22. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred
tunnels of the underground city. The tunnels are still used today as storage
areas, stables, and cellars.
23. The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred
tunnels of the underground city.
The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars.
24. The complex contains more than 30 carved-from-rock churches and
chapels, some having superb frescoes inside, dating from the ninth century
to the eleventh century.
