Located in the Cappadocia region, Kaymakli Underground City is an incredible feat of engineering and a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Turkey. This underground city is the largest out of the 34 underground cities in the area and attracts around one million visitors each year.

Kaymakli was originally built by Early Christians who were seeking protection from the cruel persecution of the Roman soldiers during the first years of Christianity. At that time, Paganism was the only official religion in the Roman Empire, and those who did not adhere to it were subject to brutal punishment.

The city was designed to be an elaborate maze, with tunnels and caves leading to various amenities such as living rooms, sleeping quarters, stables, kitchens, storage sections, churches, and even graveyards. Visitors to the city can easily get lost within the complex, but the organized and well-thought-out nature of the design is truly impressive.

Kaymakli Underground City is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been open to visitors since 1964. So far, levels 1-4 of the complex have been unearthed, revealing an intricate network of tunnels and rooms that go down to a depth of 60 meters. What’s more, the city’s ventilation system ensured that all rooms had equal access to oxygen via air shafts on every level, with a total of 18 separate vents to provide fresh air. A visit to Kaymakli is a truly unique experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Ihlara Valley, located in central Turkey, is a fascinating destination with a rich history. During the 3rd and 4th centuries, it served as a religious center for early Christianity. Due to its natural protection, early Christians found it an ideal location to establish themselves in the valley. Over time, it became an ancient monastic settlement, where many churches were decorated with frescoes and paintings.

The churches in Ihlara Valley are of great significance to historians and archaeologists, as they provide insight into the history of the area. The founder of many of these churches is known, allowing for a more accurate determination of their construction dates. They are characterized by one or two naves carved into rocks and a Greek cross plan, and are all located on the slopes of the Melendiz Stream.

Throughout the valley, there are many beautiful painted churches, including the Sümbüllü (Hyacinth), Yılanlı (Serpent), Kokar (Fragrant), Ağaçaltı (Beneath-a-Tree), Pürenliseki (Platform), Eğritaş (Crooked Stone), Kırkdamaltı (St. George) and Bahattin Samanlığı (Bahattin’s Granary). These churches are adorned with frescoes that depict events from the life of Jesus Christ, such as the Birth of Jesus, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Visitation, Flight into Egypt, and the Last Supper.

The Ihlara Valley has been a popular destination for hermits and priests since the 4th century due to its natural seclusion. It provided a peaceful setting for early Christians to worship, and enabled them to spread their beliefs to people who spoke different languages. The frescoes on the walls of the painted churches were a way to communicate the story of Jesus Christ to these people.

To reach Ihlara Valley, visitors can travel about 100 kilometers from Goreme, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. There are four different entrances to the valley: Ihlara town entrance, main entrance, Belisirma Village, and Selime Village. Starting from the Ihlara Town entrance, visitors can pass through Purenli Seki, Kokar, and Agacalti churches before joining the main entrance. From there, visitors can head left towards Sumbullu Church or Kırkdamaltı Church, and eventually reach Belisirma Village, which is home to numerous restaurants.

The distance between the first and second entrance is 4 kilometers, and it’s another 3 kilometers to reach Belisirma Village. Visitors who continue walking from Belisirma for 7 more kilometers will eventually arrive at Selime Monastery and Village. Tourists can visit the monastery for free of charge with proof of Ihlara Valley entrance ticket purchase. The Ihlara Valley is a beautiful and fascinating destination that offers a glimpse into Turkey’s rich history and culture.

Pasabag Fairy Chimney Valley is one of the must-see attractions in Cappadocia. With its unusual and stunning monochrome landscape, it’s no wonder that Pasabag is a popular spot for taking photos and is used in Turkey’s tourism advertisements all over the world.

Formerly known as “The Monks Valley”, Pasabag is located on the right side of the Goreme-Avanos main road. The valley is home to a number of peculiar fairy chimneys, some of which were used by monks who lived there in ancient times to build chapels and sitting areas.

One of the most unique fairy chimneys in Pasabag is the three-headed one, which features a chapel and a seclusion room dedicated to Saint Simeon inside. Accessible via a tight chimney, the entrance of the stylite is adorned with crucifixes. The fairy chimney also has ovens, sitting quarters, sleeping areas, and windows that allow light transmission.

To get to Pasabag Fairy Chimneys from Goreme, you can easily take a local bus every hour until the junction. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the fairy chimneys, and there is an entrance fee of 25 Turkish Lira per person, which also grants access to Zelve Open Air Museum. It’s best to visit Pasabag in the morning or evening to avoid the heat and capture the beautiful rock formations in the best lighting. In fact, the sunset time is the ideal time to visit and take stunning photos.

Cappadocia is famous for its unique rock formations and historical churches, and one of the lesser-known but equally fascinating areas to explore is Soganli Valley. This valley is the result of landslides following earthquakes, and it has been occupied since the Roman period. One of the interesting things about Soganli Valley is that residents predominantly buried their dead in rock cones on its slopes, which the Byzantines later used as churches.

There are several notable churches to visit in Soganli Valley, including the Karabas Church, which has a nave and apse and was painted at different points in history with different techniques. The church has frescoes depicting scenes such as the Deesis, Annunciation, Nativity, and Crucifixion, as well as portraits of the saints.

Another interesting church in Soganli Valley is the Snake Church, also known as Saint George Church. It features a depiction of St. George killing a dragon, as well as a fresco of “Mature Jesus,” which is one of a kind in the world. According to local beliefs, Jesus will be an old man on the Day of Judgement. The church also has frescoes depicting life after death.

The Kubbeli Church is another must-see in Soganli Valley. It is located to the north of the village and has an impressive dome that was carved from rock. It is one of only two examples of this type of architecture in the entire Cappadocia region. The church dates back to the 14th century and is basilica-style with three naves and three apses. Its frescoes depict scenes such as the Prophetic Vision, Deesis, and Baptism, as well as portraits of the saints.

The Church of St. Barbara, also known as Tahtali Church, is located at the end of a valley to the west of town. It is made from a single-apsed, single-naved building with barrel vaulting and dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. The church’s frescoes include scenes such as the Prophetic Vision, Annunciation, and Nativity, as well as portraits of the saints.

To visit Soganli Valley, you can take a local bus from Goreme to the nearby villages and walk about 10-15 minutes to reach the churches. It is recommended to visit in the morning when the light is better for photography, and there is an entrance fee to access some of the churches. Exploring Soganli Valley is a unique and fascinating way to experience the rich history and culture of Cappadocia.

Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley or Pink Valley, is a hidden gem in Cappadocia that offers visitors a unique experience unlike any other valley in the region. Unlike the other valleys, Devrent Valley is not home to cave temples or chapels, but rather boasts a stunning lunar landscape with fascinating fairy chimneys that seem to belong in another world altogether.

Devrent Valley has never been inhabited, and visitors won’t find any ancient structures or religious artifacts here. Instead, the valley offers an unusual geological landscape with bizarre voids and rock formations shaped like animals. Some of the most commonly seen animal shapes are camels, snakes, seals, and dolphins, but visitors can also let their imagination run wild and find even more interesting shapes.

However, reaching the valley can be a little challenging since there is no local transportation available. Visitors will need to rent a car or join a tour group to get there. But once they arrive, they will be rewarded with stunning views and an unforgettable experience. So if you’re looking for something off the beaten path in Cappadocia, be sure to add Devrent Valley to your itinerary.