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 The history of
Cappadocia has to begin with the geological background to the
remarkable landscape here. A long, long time ago a series of
eruptions from the cones of Mt. Erciyes and Mt Hasan covered the
area in a thick layer of volcanic ash which solidified to form the
soft tufa that characterises the surface strata here. Both these
volcanic mountains are still extant and dominate the landscape.
During the early times of the spread of Christianity, the people who
needed to hide themselves from the Arab raids, carved out these
tough rocks thus constructing churches and built underground cities
to defend themselves against the raids.
The settlements in Cappadocia had come into existence, mostly in the
valleys of Goreme(Jerome)Urgup ,Ihlara valley and underground city
of Soganli. The people who had settled here, worshipped in the
churches that they carved out of the rocks, and they dealt with
agriculture to meet their own needs.The water sources in the valleys
made this region productive. The most intensive settlement was in
the vicinity of the township of Goreme(Jerome). It is possible to
see many churches together today in the locality made into an open
air museum.
Picture Gallery
Book one of our tours to see
CAPPADOCIA
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