CAPPADOCİA , ancient region of Asia Minor, watered by the Halys River (the modern Kizil Irmak), in present E central Turkey. The name was applied at different times to territories of varying size. At its greatest extent Cappadocia stretched from the Halys valley E to the Euphrates River, from the Black Sea S to the heights of the Taurus and Anti-Taurus ranges. Mostly a high plateau, it was famous for its mineral resources, particularly its copper and iron. Cappadocia maintained its local Asian traditions in contrast to the Mediterranean seacoast of Asia Minor, which was dominated by the Aegean culture. Several thousand tablets, written in cuneiform by Assyrian colonists in Cappadocia, have been found at Kültepe (Kanesh); they show that a highly developed trade existed between Assyria and Asia Minor before 1800 B.C. At that time Cappadocia was the heart of an old Hittite state. Later the Persians controlled Cappadocia. It did not yield fully to the conquest of Alexander the Great, and during the 3d cent. B.C. it gradually developed as an independent kingdom. Pontus now became completely separated from Cappadocia. The kings had their capital at Mazaca (later Caesarea Mazaca); the only other important cities were Tyana and Melitene, though Iconium was at times in Cappadocia. In the 2d and 1st cent. B.C. the Cappadocian dynasty maintained itself largely by siding with Rome. Invaded in 104 B.C. by Mithradates VI and c.90 B.C. by his son-in-law, Tigranes of Armenia, Cappadocia was restored by Pompey. Antony replaced the king, who had been disloyal to Rome in the Parthian invasion at the time of Julius Caesar, and in A.D. 17 Rome annexed the region as a province and Cappadocia became prosperous….More

Urgup

Urgup is a town and a district of Nevsehir Province in Cappadocia, Turkey. It is renowned for its nightlife, and its better adjustment to tourism than nearby Goreme, making it a popular night stop for Cappadocia tourists.Urgup which was founded on the outskirts of the hill named as Hill of Wishes is located about 20 km north of the Nevsehir province in one of the first settlement areas of Cappadocia region. In the Byzantine period it was called Osiana, Hagios, Prokopios. During the Seljuks period it was referred to as Bashisar and in the period of Ottomans as Burgut Castle. Until the first years of the Turkish Republic it was called Urgup. Urgup was also the patriarchate center of the Cappadocia region during the Byzantine period. The Uzumlu Church, Cambazli Church and Sarica Church in Ortahisar are the oldest rock churches from the region. Furthermore the Tavsanli Church and Church of Saint Basileious are also spectacular places. Urgup known for it’s famous cave hotels, wines and hand made carpets is the most important tourism center of the Cappadocia Region. The old cave houses were restored as touristy cave hotels. They can be rented and used without damaging their historic structure. Among the cave hotels some of the caves have converted to nightclubs and bars.

Goreme

Goreme (Greek: Κόραμα (”Korama”)), located among the “fairy chimneys” rock formations, is a town in Cappadocia, a historical region of Turkey. It is in the Nevsehir Province in Central Anatolia. The Goreme National Park (Goreme Milli Parklar in Turkish) was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.The first period of settlement within the region reaches to Roman period of Christianity era. Among historical sites are Ortahane, Durmus Kadir, Yusuf Koc and Bezirhane churches in Goreme, including Tokali Kilise, the Apple Church, houses and shafts engraved from rocks.

Uchisar

Uchisar is situated at the highest point in the region, on the Nevsehir-Goreme road, just 7 km from Nevsehir. It is not known when Uchisar was first inhabited , however, in style, it resembles Ortahisar and the Selime Kalesi (castle) in the Ihlara Region.
The top of the citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Many rooms hollowed out into the rock are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. At the entrances of the rooms, there are millstone doors, just like the ones in the underground settlements, used to control access to these places. Due to the erosion in places of this multi-leveled castle, it is unfortunately not possible to reach all the rooms.
The fairy chimneys to the west, east and north of Uchisar were hollowed out and used as graves during the Roman period. Inside these rock cut tombs, the entrances of which generally face west, are klines or stone slabs on which the bodies were laid. Many rock cut churches have been discovered not only on the skirts of the castle but also inside it. The reason for this may be the fact that Goreme, having numoreus churches and monasteries, is very close to Uchisar. The simple Byzantine graves on top of the castle are not very interesting due to the fact that they have been eroded and ransacked. It is said that in towns with citadels, e.g. Uchisar, Ortahisar and Urgup (Bashisar), long defense tunnels reached far into the surrounding areas. However, since the tunnels have collapsed in places, this theory cannot be confirmed, but is a popular myth as to the great distances they cover.

Mustafapasa

Mustafapasa, 6km to the south of Urgup, was inhabited by Greek Orthodox families until the beginning of the 20th century. The houses dating back to the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries display fine examples of stonework.
Gomede valley, to the west of Mustafapasa, resembles a small version of the Ihlara Canyon. As at Ihlara, the walls of the valley house churches and shelters carved from the rock, and a river runs through the valley. The important churches and monasteries around Mustafapasa are, the Church of Aios Vasilos, the Church of Constantine-Elene, Churches in the Monastery Valley and, the Church of St. Basil and Alakara in Gomede valley.There is also a Medrese built during the Ottoman period and displaying fine examples of stone masonry and woodcraft.

Avanos

Avanos is a town and a district of Nevsehir Province of Turkey, located 18 km north of Nevsehir. It is situated at the heart of the historic and touristic region of Cappadocia. With its rich architectural heritage, Avanos is a member of the Norwich-based European Association of Historic Towns and Regions (EAHTR) [1]. The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kızılırmak (Red River), which also separates it from the rest of Cappadocia.
The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. It is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and superb views over the river.

Zelve

Zelve located in the valley of Damsa, 5km southeast of the town of Avanos in the vicinity of Nevsehir and 6 km north of Urgup. The han is on the Aksaray-Kayseri route in the east-west connection.
Saruhan, built during the reign of Izzettin Keykavus I -maybe upon his orders- in 1249, covers an area of 2000 m square. Yellow, reddish pink and light brown regular stone blocks were used as building material in Saruhan.
A decorative look was achieved by using stone of two different colours in the arches of both the monumental portal and the inner portal. In the outer portal, the upper parts of which partly collapsed, mainly geometrical decorations were used like in the other sultanhans. Its domed mescid, unlike other caravanserais, was built above the monumental portal. The doorway of the mescid, facing the courtyard, is decorated with squinches with mukarnases. To the left of the large courtyard is a portico with a fountain and to the right are the places for accommodation and bathing. The small lines on some of the stones used in the porticoes are stonemasons’ marks. The hall where animals and their keepers stayed is similar to the ones in Aksaray Sultanhan and Agzikarahan. The oculus, seated on pendentives is quite plain.
The Han, the upper parts of which have collapsed in places, was returned to its original state with the completion of its restoration in 1991. After Saruhan, one of the latest examples of Sultahhans, the Seljuk Sultans did not have hans built.

Ortahisar

Ortahisar citadel, built both as a defense and as a settlement, is situated 6km from Urgup, on the road to Nevsehir. Typical examples of the area’s civilian architecture can be found among the houses skirting the citadel. The sides of the valleys are littered with carved out storage areas used for preserving local products such as apples and potatoes, as well as oranges and lemons brought from the Mediterranean. Very interesting churches and monasteries can be found in the surrounding valleys. Among these are, Sarica church, Cambazli church, Tavsanli church, Balkan Deresi church and Hallac Dere monastery

Ihlara Canyon

This valley is situated 40km from Aksaray and can be reached making a turn at the 11th km of the Aksaray-Nevsehir road.The canyon was created by the cracking and collapsing which occurred as a result of basalt and andesite lava from Mt. Hasandag’s eruption. The Melendiz river found its way through these cracks, eroding the canyon bed and helping to form canyon we see today. The Melendiz river used to be called “Potamus Kapadukus”meaning the River of Cappadocia.The 14km long, 100 -150m high valley begins at Ihlara and ends at Selime. There are numerous dwellings, churches and graves built into the valley walls, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors.The valley proved to be an ideal place for the seclusion and worship of monks, and a hideaway and defense area for people during times of invasion.The decorations in the churches can be dated to various times from the 6th to the 13th centuries, and the churches can be classified into two groups. The churches near to Ihlara display frescoes with oriental influence. Those nearer to Belisirma display Byzantine type decorations.
Very few Byzantine inscriptions in this area can be read. Above a 13th century fresco in the church of St. George (Kirkdamatl), the names of Seljuk Sultan Mesud II (1282 - 1305) and the Byzantine Emperor Andronicos II are inscribed. This is proof of the tolerance of the Seljuk rulers. The best preserved frescos are to be found in the churches of Agacalti, Purenliseki, Kokar, Yilanli and Kirkdamatli

Cappadocia

Cappadocia The region known in ancient times as Cappadocia is the setting for some of nature’s most bizarre wonders.It incorporates the provinces of Aksaray, Nevsehir, Nigde, Kayseri and Kirsehir .For most people , the name Cappadocia suggests the towns and vicinities of Uchisar, Goreme, Avanos, Urgup, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli and Ihlara, in the course of millions of years, the land has been shaped into fantastic forms.”Fairy chimneys” that seem haunted, and cities and houses of worship that extend many meters deep into the earth are all enveloped an atmosphere that is ethereal and unwordly. Get ready now to take a brief journey into the Cappadocian region, where Mother Nature painstakingly worked miracles that defy the imagination and where the living elements of history, culture, art, and society are inextricably linked.Milions of years ago, three of the mountains in Cappadocia - Erciyes , Hasandag and Gulludag- were active volcanoes; indeed , this activity persisted intermittently at least into the Neolithic period if one considers the evidence of prehistoric paintings found on the walls of caves.
The eruptions appear to have begun in the Upper Miocene, less than 70 million years ago, in which lava began to flow from volcanoes submerged in Neogene lakes.The plateau of tuff formed from the materials discharged by the main volcanoes was continuously altered by the eruptions smaler and less violent volcanoes.
From the Upper Pliocene onwards, these layers of tuff were exposed to erosion by rain and the waters of lakes and rivers, particularly the Kizilirmak, resulting in what we see today.Floodwater pouring down the sides of valleys combined with strong winds tore away the softer volcanic rock exposing the harder varieties and resulting in the formations known as “fairy chimneys” of which there are several types in Cappadocia - conical, pointed, columnar, mushroom-shaped an deven a type that looks as if it’s wearing a hat!
The cappadocian region has been inhabited since prehistoric times.The evidence of this is plentiful, but the best examples of it have been unearthed at Kosk Hoyuk in Nigde and Asikli Hoyuk in Aksaray as well as in the Civelek Cave in Nevsehir.During the Early Bronze Age, Cappadocia came under the influence of Assyrian civilization thanks to extensive trade , and it was during this period that writing was introduced .Researchers have turned up hoards of so-called ” Cappadocian tablets”- clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform writing - whose texts speak of tax regulations, interest rates , marriage contracts, trade disputes, and much else besides.The Hattis , floowed by the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Romans, Byzanties, Seljuks, and Ottomans were all enchanted by the allure of Cappdocia and left the imprint of their own.
Because of its location, Cappadocia was an extremely critical and strategic region. Important trade routes- including the illustrious Silk Road - traversed it both east and west and North and South.As a result of this heavy traffic , the region was a complex web of historical and cultural influences.Cappadocia was where different faiths and philosophies met and influenden one another.
Cappadocia’s trade and resource were tempting prized and the region was frequently prizes and the region was frequently invadede, raided, and looted.To protect themselves from such depredations, the local inhabitants took to living in the region’s cavems and grottos whose entrances could be concealed so as not to be noticed by trouble-making outsiders.Since it might be necesesary to lie low for extended periods of time, these troglodytic dwellings eventually became subterranean cities that included sources of water, places of store food ,wineries, and temples.Some of the date back to before the Christian era.
In the early years of the first millennium, groups of Christians fleeing from Roman persecution began moving into the inaccessible wilds of Cappadocia sekin refuge. One group, whisch arrived here from Jerusalem via Antioch ( Antakya ) and Caesarea ( Kayseri) in the second century, settled down in the area now called Derinkuyu.Finding the soft volcanic tuff easy to carve, they began expanding the natural caves, linking them together and in addition to dwellings, creating chapels, churches, and whole monasteries as they shaped with their hearts, minds, and hands the peace and security that they so desperately sought.There are said to be more than a thousand churches and chapels in Cappadocia.The variety and artistry of their architecture, layout, and decoration are fascinating and amazing.The whole panoply of religious architecture- basilicas with single, double, or triple naves, cruciform plans, vestibules, aisles, apses, domes, colums, pillars, in these churches, and all of it has been hollwed out of the stona.Many of the churches are decorated withpainstakingly executed frescoes.The monumental task of restoring, repairing, and maintaining these churches and underground cities goes on continuously even while they receive thousands of visitors a year.
There is of course more to the history of the Cappadocian regin than that of the pagan and Christian world.With the arrival of Islam in Anatolia, it also became the home of a number of famous Muslim scholars and philosophers.In th 14th centurt, the Turkish and Muslim mystic, Haci Bektas-i Veli settled down in the Nevsehir county called Hacibektas today.The core tenets of this sage’s philosophy, which was crucial to achieving unity among the differen Turkish groups in Anatolis, embody the spirit and substance of the 1948 Universal Dedaration of Human Rights.
Yunus Emre, another important mystic and poet lived in Aksaray for a while.This poet’s love-filled heart has influenced and inspired people around the world.UNESCO declared 1991 to be the ” International Yunus Emre Year” in commemoration of the 750th anniversary of his birth.
Akhism, the organized brother hood of trade and craft guilds founded by Ahi Evran first developed in Kirsehir and spread out from there, sowing the seeds of love in the hearts of people everywhere in Anatolis.
In the province of Nigde, frescoed churches and dwellings carved into the cliffs extend from Ihlara valley, whisch is 40 km from Aksaray, as far as the town of Selime.Some of these structures can be dated back to as early as the 4th century AD. Among the many sights worth seeing are the Egritas, Agac Alti, Kokar, Yilanli, Purenli, and Sivisli churches.
How about stopping by one of the ” wine houses of Urgup” that are waitng to transform the sweet weariness of our trip into languorous relaxation?
Whether your wine is served to you in a rustic earthenware pitcher or an elegant crytall goblet, it will be an experience that youu’ll never forget.
We knew you couldn’t resist the taste of the crimson-red or misty-white wines dripping into your cup from the fertile vineyards in which the exquisite grapes of the Cappadocia region flourish.Although some local vintners have adopted modern techniques of wine-making there are stil many that remain faithful to the ancient and time-proven methods.
Now, let’s resolve the mystery of those clouds of white fluttering about us.They’re doves! Doves beautifully and exuberantly winging their way in the valleys around Uçhisar, in the valleys of Goreme-Kiliclar and Gulludere, in Urgup’s Uzengi valley, in the Ortahisar Balkan Deresi and Kizilcukur valleys, in the Cat valley near NevSehir, and Soganli valley in Kayseri province!According to Muslim belief, the dove is a symbol of family devotion and peace;in Christianity it’s a symbol of the spirit of God.In the heights of nearly all the valleys in the region, you will see dovecotes built into the eastern or southern slopes.These dovecotes are dated back to the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and provide excellent examples of the art of Islamic painting.
If your camera’s ready, some outstanding images are waiting to be your models.The splendid scene of the town of Uchisar seven kilometers from Nevsehir, has an appeal that is irresistible.From the heights of the Uchisar citadel, you have a magnificent and unrivalled view of the whole region.
We arrive at the “belif centers”, where the air is thick with an enigmatic nimbus.Goreme and its environs, located ten kilometers forum Nevsehir, are thought to have been used as a necropolis during Roman times by the inhabitants of Venessa( Avanos.)The churches of Durmus Kadir, Yusuf Koc, El Nazar, Sakli, Meryem Ana, and Kiliclar cast a spellbinding effect upon visitors.The Goreme Open-Air Museum is where the “educational system that unified all the ideas of Christianity” of St Basil the Great and his brothers, was born.In the Tokali church, the Convent of Monks and Nuns, the Chapel of St Basil, and the Elmali, Yilanli, Karanlik, and Carikli churches the architectural details and frescoes seem as alive today as when they were new.
Cavusin, located two kilometers froum Goreme, is one of the oldes inhabited places in the region. The fresco scenes in the Cavusin church are distinctive because of their unusual compositions. Kilise, Pasabaglari and the Cell of St Simeon are amon the mos impressive sites at Zelve.
In Avanos, located 18 kilometers from Nevsehir, there is a tradition of pottery-making that has been alive since Hittite times.We’ve already reached the pottery-making center, crowded with people at work or watching.If you want to give it a try, call at a workshop, don an apron, and take up your position before a Wheel.What happens next will depend your imagination.Master potters standing nearby and smiling will lend you their moral support and maybe give you a few pointers.When you leave, don’t forget to pick up an example or two of the craftsmen’s skill as witnesses to your pleasurable moments along with the piece you made yourself.
In Urgup, 20 kilometers east of Nevsehir, the St Theodora ( Tagar ) and Pancarlik churches are elaboraterly decorated with religious art.In the town of Ortahisar, six kilometers from Urgup, the most impressive sight is the once strategically important Ortahisar citadel.Fine examples of Cappadocia’s vernacular architecture cluster thickly around the base of the citadel.Also worth seeing is the Uzumlu church, on the western side.Six kilometers South of Urgup is Mustafapasa ( Sinasos ) a town justifiably famous for its splendid stone Works.The Chapel of St Basil is decorated with motifs reflecting the Iconoclastic system of thought.
The town of Tatlarin is located ten kilometers North of Acigol.The Tatlarin church is graced with well-preserved frescoes.Twenty kilometers from Nevsehir are the Aciksaray ruins and the Church of St John in the town Gulsehir.The town of Hacibektas, 45 kilometers from Nevsehir, has a fine museum that includes the tomb of the famous philosopher and mystic Haci Bektas-i Veli. On 16-18 August every year, activities commemorating Haci Bektas-i Veli are held and draw large crowds of his disciples as well as visitors.
The Karabas, Kubbeli, and St. Barbara ( Tahtali Kilise ) churches located in Soganli Valley in Kayseri province’s Yesilhisar county are particularly important because of their architectural styles and their detailed fresco scenes.
The Eski Gümüs church, located in the town of Gümüsler, eight kilometers northeast of Nigde, is a cliff-monastery church and is decorated with fresco scenes that are extremely detailed and telicately executed.In addition to this, the underground cities of Kavlaktepe, Fertek, Konakli, Baglama, Kayirli and the Yesilyurt and Akdas Andabalis churches are sites worth visiting that are of great importance of Christians.Ancient city of Tyana ( Roman Period ) is worth seeing.Built into the Ucayaki Derefakili, Aflak, and Aksakli caves in Kirsehir province, are historic places of worship that are important for Christianity.
Mention has already been made of the Cappadocia region’s “underground cities” place that are as amazing as they are fascinating.There are many of them but the most extraordinary are the ones at Kaymakli, Derinkuyu, Mazi, Ozkonak, and Tatlarin.In Kirsehir province, the underground cities of Mucur, Dulkadirli, Inlimurat, and Kumbetalti are also quite impressive in their extent and layout. These were all used as shelters for great lengths of time and, having undergone restoration work, they are now open to visitors.
The Cappadocia region has been designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Visitors to it have an opportunity to view distinguished examples of Seljuk, and Otoman art and architecture as well.Some of the most outstanding examples of these are the Grand Mosque, Egri Minaret, and the Alayhan and Sultanhank caravanserais - examples of seljuk period Works in Aksaray province; the Sarihan Caravanserai ( Seljuk ) and the Urgup Taskinpasa Mosque ( Karamanli period ) in Nevsehir province; and the Sungur Bey and Alaadin mosques, two Seljuk works in Nigde. In Kayseri province, some of the places worth visiting are Doner Kumbet (Tomb), Sircali Kumbet, Ali Cafer Kumbet, Cami Kebir, the Hunat Hatun Kulliyesi (Complex), the Kursunlu Cami (Mosque), Gupgupoglu konagi (Mansion) , the Kara Mustafa Pasa Caravanserai, and Karatayhani Caravanserai. While in Kayseri, be sure to make a stop at the Museum of the History of Medicine, located in what used to be the Þifaiye Medrese.This was the first medical school and hospital in Anatolia, and was built at the behest of Gevher Nesibe, a sister of the Seljuk Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev I, in 1205.Magnificent works of historical and artistic importance in Kirsehir province include the Cacabey Mosque, the Ahi Evran Mosque, the Asikpasa Tomb, the Melikgazi Tomb, the Yunus Emre Tomb, and Kesikkopru.
Cappadocia generously spreads before visitors an extraordinary and lavish banquet of natural wonders exceeding their wildest imagination and elegantly graced with works by the hand of man. Discovering these marvels from a hot-air balloon in voyage unique to the Cappadocian region is an experience unlike any other as you race with the doves through the sky’s shades of blue and behold below the sinuous terrain extending into infinity, the enigmatic and artistically magnificent churches, and the pyramids, cones, mushrooms, and hats of the fairy chimneys.The shops and markets in which the local handicrafts are displayed and offered for sale reveal a palette of colors, patterns, and designs that is unlimited in its variety.The locally-quarried onyx is carved into countless shapes before coming to its potential buyers.The local rag dolls, sweetly reflecting all the warmth and charm of the region are dressed in delightfully colored and patterned fabrics and are certain to appeal to collectors.Pottery-making, porcelain, manufacturing, leather-working, handicrafts, and the making of delectable wines are well-developed activities in the region of Cappadocia, nature’s “art gallery”, whose natural, historical, and cultural assets entice visitors with their miracles and spells. Cappadocia wishes to be a symbol of the unforgettable with places and memories imbued with the peace promised by the doves wheeling through the heavens.And those who behold these things become parners in that wish. Our own wish and hope is that you too will have the chance to visit and experience these indescribable feelings for yourself.

Cappadocia Balloon Tours

Balloon Tours, the symbol of Cappadocia, are the most convenient way to see the unmatched beauties of the region. ShoeString will organise your balloon tour with a flight time duration of around one and a half hours and you’ll get to see the farthest points of Cappadocian civilization inaccessible by road.Balloon tours operate between April and November in the mornings (weather conditions permitting). There are few balloons company, with a capacity of 8, 10, 12 and 20 persons.Total tour time in a balloon: The total time includes the transfers between hotel and flight area, balloon safety briefing and preparation actual flight time and after-flight celebration with Champagne, and is approximately 4 hours. The actual flight time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and if you want you can have a short flight in 45 minutes.

Cappadocia Bicycle Tours

Going through Urgup, Goreme and Zelve, the open air museum of churches and hermit dwellings hewn out of the naked rock, and the rock pinnacles pierced with the apertures of doors and windows. In the heat of summer, cyclists can cruise along in a comfort not offered by cars and coaches. And they do not have to abandon their vehicles when the roads narrow to paths. The number of cyclists is therefore steadily rising in the region. Cappadocia which has been featured in several European and American Mountain Bike magazines as one of the best places to cycle in Turkey and Europe.

Cappadocia Trekking Tours

It is a region where the art of nature and human beings become one. Millions of years ago an eruption of two volcanoes, Hasan and Erciyes, covered the land of ‘Beautiful Horses’ with lava and tuff creating the colorful canvas for nature to create one of its most beautiful art. The Skillful hands of rivers carved the sculpture while the winds provided the polishing. The Tiny hands of rain placed the final touches for the art of “Mother Nature” to make it ready for mankind. Cappadocia is one of the most important civilization center of the history with its moderate climate, fertile soil and ability to hide in geography. With its strategic position on the Silk Way, Cappadocia became the melting pot of cultures.Ideal for those who enjoy walking while discovering the history and culture.

Cappadocia Jeep Safari Tours

The full day Cappadocian Jeep Safari begins in the deeply set valley town of Urgup and will then drive through to the Uzengi River . The drive will take you through scenery that includes pigeon houses, the grape growing district and the near by wineries of Ortahisar.The jeep tour will then take passengers off the beaten track with a visit to the picturesque caves of the Red Valley . The jeep safari provides the perfect opportunity to take a rest and soak up the natural beauty of the Cappadocian scenery.

Cappadocia Horse Riding Tours

Experience the incredible and unusual beauty of Turkey’s Cappadocia region from the back of a horse.Something like a cross between the Grand Canyon and a moonscape, Cappadocia boasts some of the worlds most unusual and spectacular landscapes. Traversing the countless valleys and mountains by horseback brings riders in touch with the area’s breath-taking beauty. Forget the tour buses or even the rental cars - this astonishing region of Central Anatolia is truly best seen by horseback. Horse Riding may also include visits to some of Cappadocia´s incredible cultural treasures such as Byzantine churches carved inside caves, fascinating underground cities or the area’s traditional craftmaking centers.

Cappadocia Whirling Dervishes Ceremony

Semâ is is the inspiration of Mevlânâ Celâleddin-i Rumî (1207 - 1273) as well as part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture… It symbolizes in seven parts the different meanings of a mystic cycle to perfection (Ascension - Mirac). Contemporary science definitely confirms that the fundamental condition of our existence is to revolve. There is no object, no being which does not revolve and the shared similarity among beings is the revolution of the electrons and protons in the atoms, which constitute the structure of the smallest particle to the stars far in the sky. As a consequence of this similarity, every thing revolves and man carries on his life, his very existence by means of the revolution in the atoms, structural elements in his body, bye the circulation of his blood, bye his coming from the Earth and return to it, by his revolving with the Earth itself.
However, all of these are natural, unconscious revolutions. But man is the processor of a mind and intelligence which distinguished him from and makes him superior to other beings…
Thus the whirling dervish or Semâzen causes the mind to participate in the shared similarity and revolution of all other beings…
- The Semâ ceremony represents all a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives to the “Perfect”. Then he returns from this spiritual journeys as a man who reached maturity and a greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole creation, to all creatures without discriminating in regard to belief, class, or race… The dervish with his head-dress(his ego’s tombstone), his white skirt (his ego’s shroud) is spiritually born to the truth, by removing his black cloak, he journeys and advances to spiritual maturity through the stages of the Semâ. At the onset and each stage of the Semâ holding his arms crosswise he represents number one, and testifies to God’s unity. While whirling his arms are open, his right hand directed to the sky ready to receive God’s beneficence, gazing his left hand turned toward the earth, he turns from right to left, pivoting around the heart. This is his way of conveying God’s spiritual gift to the people upon whom God “looks with a Divine” watchfulness. Revolving around the heart, from right to left, he embraces all of humankind, all the creation with affection and love… The Semâ is consisted of several parts, with different meanings…

A- It stars with a eulogy “Nat-ı Şerif” to the Prophet, who represents love, an all Prophets before him. To praise them is praising God, who created all of them.
B- This eulogy is followed by a drum sound symbolising the Divine order of the Creator…. ” Kun=Be !”
C- Then follows an instrumental music improvisation ” taksim ” with a read ” ney ”, it represents the firts breath which gives life to everthing : The Divine Breath.
D- The fourth part is the dervishes gretings to each other and their thirice repeated circular walk ”Devri Veledi” accompanied by music called ”peshrev”, it symbolize the salulation of soul to soul concealed by shapes and bodies.
E- The fifth part is the Semâ (whirling) it concists of four salutes or ” Selam ‘’s. At the end of each as in the onset, the dervish testifies by appearance to God’s unity.

1- The first salute is man’s birth to truth by feelingand mind. It represent his complete conception of the existance of God as Creator and his own state of creature.
2- The second salute expresses the rapture of man witnessin the splendor of creation, in front of God’s greatness and omnipotence.
3- The third salute is the dissolution rapture into love and there by the sacrifice of mind to love. It is a complete submission, it is the annihilation of self in the loved One, it is unity. This state of ecstasy is the highest grade defined as ” Fenafillah ” in İslâm. However, the highest rank in İslâm is the rank reached by the Prophet : He is called God’s servant foremost and subsequently his messenger. The aim of Semâ is not unbroken ecstasy and loss of concious thought, but realization of.
4- The fourt salute: Just as the Prophet ascends the ” Throne ” and then returns to his task on earth, the whirling dervish, folloving the termination of his spiritual journey and his ascent, returns to his task, to his state of subservience. (He is a servant of God, of His prophets and all the creation…) Sura Bakara 2, verse 285. At the end of this salute, he demonstrate this again by his apperance, arms placed crsswise representing the of God, conscjously and feelingly.

F- The sixth part of the Semâ is a reading of the Quaran, especialy of the verse from Sura bakara 2, verse 115. (Onto God belong the East and the West, and wherever you turn, there is GOD’s countenance. He is All-Embracing. All-Knowing).
G- The Semâ ceremony ends with a prayer for the peace of the souls of all Prophets and all believers… After the completion of ” Semâ ” ritual all the dervishes return silently to their cells meditation (tefekkür).

Cappadocia Mountain Bike Festival - End of June

Because of its unique landscape, Cappadocia is ideal for mountain-biking. With its long-distance dirty roads & topography, you do not have to pedal for kilometers to see something attractive. Every year, at the end of June or July an international mountain bike festival takes action. Whether you are a professional or amateur, you are invited as well.

Cappadocia Hacibektas Festival - 16 /18 August

Mystic, humanist, philosopher, Saint Haci Bektas Veli, the founder of the influential Bektasi sect of dervishes and the leader of an Islamic philosophy and social class in the 13th century. He had great impact on Anatolian humanism. His teachings become know as Bektasism. Haci Bektas Veli was the one who dedicated himself to the people, the rural society, thus serving as a promoter of Turkish language and literature. During the 3 days festival from 16th to 18th of August, he is recalled at his hometown Hacibektas.

Cappadocia Avanos International Tourism And Handicrafts Festival - Aug 31/ Sep 01

The old city of Avanos (called Venessa in the past) overlooks the longest river of Turkey: the Kizilirmak (Red River). The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used. The International Tourism and Handicrafts Festival is held in Avanos every year on August 31 – September 1.

Cappadocia Wine Festival - End of October

The mineral-laden volcanic soil is very fertile and Cappadocia is a prime agricultural region with many fruit orchards and vineyards. Every year in October an International Wine Festival is held in Urgup, the center of a successful wine producing region. Several small wineries in Cappadocia organize this wine tasting event.