2. Day Cappadocia I

Göreme is a municipality in Cappadocia. The place was called Matiana in Byzantine times and was renamed Göreme in 1928.

The town is the centre of the Göreme National Park. The landscape around Göreme is characterised by striking tuff formations, some of which are hollowed out, the so-called fairy chimneys (Turkish: peri bacaları).

The first Christians used them to lead a devotional life in seclusion, but above all as a hiding place from their enemies (Persians, Romans, Arabs, Mongols). They not only built churches and chapels, which were carved into the rock, but entire residential complexes for several thousand people.

On the second day, we decided to visit the national park early and on the way to see some churches. Particularly noteworthy are the Al Nazar, Karanlik and Dark churches.

At midday sun we went to our accommodation and rested.

In the late afternoon we took a taxi to Pasabag and visited the Fairy Chimney’s. Finally we hiked back the way we came, which took about 1 1/2h. But the surroundings are very picturesque and worth it.

Small criticism: In Göreme there are no classic dolmuses (minibuses), most of them work for agencies and specially booked group tours. Moreover, every sight in nature is monetised.Read more