Cappadocia
The Land Of Beautiful Horses
Cappadocia lands have hosted many different civilizations until today.
The oldest civilization known to have lived in these lands was recorded as Assyrians.
After the Assyrians, the region came under the rule of the Hittites and the foundations of a great empire were laid in the region.
After the Hittite domination, which continued until the 12th century BC, a period that is described as darkness begins in the region.
The conflicts between the kingdoms, the struggle for dominance in the trade routes and the resistance shown against Alexander the Great in 332 BC
are sufficient to understand the richness of Cappadocia history.
Later, with the arrival of Christians in the region, a new era begins.
The increase in the presence of Christians escaping from the oppressions between the 7th and 13th centuries made Cappadocia one of the most important Christian centers.
The excavations made in these lands, which have become the center of attraction of civilizations with the effect of its geographical location and climate features, reveal that the settlement dates back to the Chalcolithic period.
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Love valley
Rose Valley
Pasabag Valley
Cappadocia History
Cappadocia Formation
The natural beauty of Cappadocia is proverbial the Fairy Chimneys in the region fascinate millions of tourists every year with their unique appearance.
The formation of these geological structures dates back millions of years from today.
After volcanic eruptions, the lava coming out of these volcanoes spread to
the plateau and formed a soft tuff layer on the plateau.
Some of the tuffs are covered with a layer of lava containing hard basalt.
Over time, basalt cracked and fragmented.
With the effect of rains, rivers, lakes and wind, the tuff layer started to erode.
Of course, the variety of these factors is not limited to these.
The change of air temperatures is also one of the factors contributing to the formation of Fairy Chimney.
Ihlara Valley
Christianity
The first Christians escape
from the pressure of the Roman Empire settled in the region and built the Selime Cathedral
to perform their worship in secret.
This structure, which allows them to both worship and remain safe against their enemies
is among the most visited historical artifacts in Cappadocia.
The importance of the region for the first Christians is not limited to this
while the Edict of Milan signed in 313 allows them to worship freely, the Orthodox perform their
first loud ritual in Cappadocia.
This influence in the history of Christianity causes Cappadocia to host faith tourism every year.
There are very legitimate reasons for Cappadocia to be such a popular center today.
The history of Cappadocia the formation of Cappadocia the importance of the region
for Christians and its unique natural beauties are of utmost importance.
As a matter of fact:
The enactment of the regulation on the Cappadocia Area Presidency in 2019 indicates that the efforts made for the protection of the region have increased.
Cappadocia, one of the most unique heritages in the world, continues to shine in Central Anatolia like a pearl that will preserve its existence for generations.
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The Name
What is the meaning of Cappadocia?​
the Old Persian name is Katpatuka.
It was proposed that Kat - patuka came from the Luwian language meaning "Low Country"
Subsequent research suggests that the adverb katta meaning 'down , below' is exclusively
Hittite, while its Luwian equivalent is zanta.
Therefore, the recent modification of this proposal operates with the Hittite
katta peda-, literally "place below" as a starting point for the development of the toponym Cappadocia.
The earlier derivation from Iranian Hu-apa-dahyu Land of good horses can hardly be reconciled with
the phonetic shape of Kat-patuka.
Several other etymologies have also been offered in the past.
Herodotus wrote that the name of the Cappadocians was applied to them by the Persians
while they were termed by the Greeks "White Syrians" (Leucosyri) who were most probably descendants of the Hittites.
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Ihlara valley
Fairy Chimneys
Myra
pigeon valley
The Dark Period
Derinkuyu Underground City
In the 12th century BC, a dark period began in the region with the collapse of the Hittite Empire.
During this period, the late Hittite Kings with effects of Assyria and Phrygia ruled the region, these Kingdoms lasted until the Persian invasion in the 6th century BC.
In 332 BC, Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and encountered great resistance in Cappadocia.
During this period, the Kingdom of Cappadocia was established.
The Roman power began to be felt in the region towards the end of the 3rd century BC. In the middle of 1st century, Kings of Cappadocia were appointed and toppled from the throne by the Roman Generals. When the last king of Cappadocia died in 17 AD, the region became a province of Rome.
In the 3rd century, Christians came to the Cappadocia which became a centre for education. Pressure on the Christians increased between 303-308. But Cappadocia was an ideal place to be safeguarded from pressures and to spread the Christian doctrine.
Deep valleys and shelters dug into the soft volcanic rocks created a safe heaven against the Roman soldiers.
The 4th century is the period of the people known as Fathers of Cappadocia.
But the importance of the region reached its climax when Leon III, Emperor of Rome banned icons.
Under these circumstances, some people who were proicon started to take shelter in the region.
Iconoclasm movement lasted more than a hundred years (726-843).
Although some Cappadocian churches were under the influence of Iconoclasm in this period
proicon people easily continued worshipping here.
The monasteries of Cappadocia developed considerably during this period.
Again, in these periods, Arab raids started to affect the Christian regions in Anatolia, from
Armenia to Cappadocia.
People escaping the invasion and coming to the region changed the styles of churches in the area.
In 11th and 12th centuries Cappadocia passed into the hands of the Seljuk Turks.
The region spent a period without trouble subsequent times under the Ottoman Empire.
The last Christians in the region migrated from Cappadocia due to the exchange of Treaty of Lausanne in 1924-26, leaving beautiful architectural examples behind.
Cappadocia is on the UNESCO World Heritage List Cappadocia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985 with its natural and cultural features. Göreme National Park, Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı Underground Cities, Karlık Church, Yesilöz Theodoro Church, Soganlı Archeological Site and Karain Pigeons in the region are among the most tourist attractions with their natural and cultural beauties.