Now I am not good on history but way back in the 9th and 10th centuries Christians were persecuted so they moved to remote areas of the region which is today known as Cappadocia, Turkey. Nowadays there is no overt evidence of Christianity being practiced locally and the region appears to be totally Islam dominated. I've got quite used to the call to prayer.
We are more or less in the centre of Cappadocia in a small town called Goreme. Near the town there are unusual sedimentary rock formations which are of cultural importance. These rock formations have been used over many centuries to house the locals and of course the Christians in centuries past.
It would take months if not years to see everything this region has to offer. We have one day so we decided on the Gulludere Rose Valley and the Kizilcukur Red Valley which involves a walk of about six kilometres. The walking track is not far from the township. Our estimate of distance did not take into account the poor signage and the numerous tracks from which to choose. I admit to being lost (well maybe not lost - just uncertain as to my whereabouts) a couple of times.
The walk started by us descending down several hundred feet to a narrow walkway. It is more like a narrow ravine with spring water in places flowing along the bottom. We were not to far into the walk before we stubbled onto some significant features.
This church with it's columns and ceiling - all this hewn out of rock. The entrance was a small external opening and some steps. The bridge a recent addition.
We are more or less in the centre of Cappadocia in a small town called Goreme. Near the town there are unusual sedimentary rock formations which are of cultural importance. These rock formations have been used over many centuries to house the locals and of course the Christians in centuries past.
It would take months if not years to see everything this region has to offer. We have one day so we decided on the Gulludere Rose Valley and the Kizilcukur Red Valley which involves a walk of about six kilometres. The walking track is not far from the township. Our estimate of distance did not take into account the poor signage and the numerous tracks from which to choose. I admit to being lost (well maybe not lost - just uncertain as to my whereabouts) a couple of times.
The walk started by us descending down several hundred feet to a narrow walkway. It is more like a narrow ravine with spring water in places flowing along the bottom. We were not to far into the walk before we stubbled onto some significant features.
This church with it's columns and ceiling - all this hewn out of rock. The entrance was a small external opening and some steps. The bridge a recent addition.
The formations changed in colour from rose red to yellow and different hues of those colours.
Some of the caves/dugouts are still inhabited by locals and occasionally I saw signs saying "Keep out of my garden". Some locals have taken up the opportunity and have opened cafes and tea lounges.
Some are rustic like the one above and others have better facilities.
More churches were found later in the walk and some still had some of the decoration.
Some of the churches were not hidden but in very remote areas. This little church was hewn into a small rock. All of the depicted saints faces had been hacked away but most of the images were still intact.
A fantastic day hiking and gawking at an area that has a history and culture which is rich and interesting.
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