ANATOLIA
Cappadocia
Turkey
Situated in the heart of ancient Anatolia, in modern Turkey, Cappadocia's history begins thousands and thousands of years ago.
Mount Erciyes and two smaller volcanoes erupted, blanketing the entire plateau in ash. The ash then turned to tuff, the rock found in Cappadocia. Erosion took its turn and created the dramatic vistas, intricate patterns, and unique shapes seen today. Much more recently, "only" being a thousand years ago, Christians fled into this landscape to hide from Arab raids and attacks. Here they carved numerous rock-cut churches that still stand today, leaving behind a cultural testament to this unique geologic landscape. In the modern world, Cappadocia is perhaps Turkey's premier destination, attracting visitors from around the globe for its geologic oddities and historical significance.
Visiting this region will leave you amazed at the blend of nature and human workmanship. Deep underground cities are found, some once holding up to 20,000 people at nearly 300 feet deep. Amazingly-well preserved frescoes can be found in rock-hewn chapels throughout the landscape. Pillars of dense tuff stand high and mazes of rocks invite you to just wander off and explore. Sunrises paint the region in gold, slowly revealing the beauty in this region, yet still hiding many secrets.
THE SILK ROAD JOURNAL
How We Got Here:
Cappadocia, in central Turkey, has many connections all throughout the country. We arrived via a long bus from Safranbolu.
The Highlight
Watching the flight of hundreds of hot air balloons every sunrise. There are few places that has a sunrise as magical as experienced in Cappadocia.
Our Treasure
Simply getting lost among the maze of rock formations and rock-hewn caves throughout the landscape, only to stumble across some ancient frescoes or a quaint tea house.
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S N A P S H O T S O N T H E R O A D
W H E R E W I L L Y O U R J O U R N E Y T A K E Y O U N E X T ?
Cappadocia delighted and surprised, a possible taste of what is to come. But from here the road diverges into several paths.
First, you could travel the main Silk Route into Ani, ancient Capitol of Armenia.
Second, you could head further north into Georgia where a northern passage to China emerges.
Third, you could enter into Kurdish lands southwest, where biblical legends come alive in Urfa.