KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY, CHURCHES
AND MONASTERIES
U
p to now, archaeologists have discovered 40 underground
cities of various sizes in Cappadocia. The largest one is
Kaymakli. Strange as it is, they divided separate living
areas for each family within the community. Besides
living rooms and bedrooms, kitchens, storage places,
wine or oil presses, fitness areas, and public restrooms are also
found here. They also had means of communication allowing them
to transfer sounds between households and floors. The Kaymakli
underground city features 8 floors with a simple but magical air
system that ensured circulation. Currently, excavations are still
being carried out. Experts estimate that there are more than 100
underground cities in Cappadocia.
While you can find hundreds of gorgeous mosques in Istanbul,
Cappadocia is a Mecca of Christianity. Of all the relics and
monuments here, the Goreme open-air museum is the first sight to
be visited by any traveler in Cappadocia. The museum resembles a
vast complex composed of monasteries, churches and chapels built
in the early Middle Ages. All the works here were carved directly into
the rock. From the monuments, visitors can imagine the asceticism
and simplicity of the monks’ lives. In the complex of 30 churches and
chapels, there are also many beautiful frescoes, relics, and remains of
the monks who decided to dedicate themselves to God for eternity.
Beautiful
frescoes on
the celling
Travellive GUIDE
TRANSPORTATION
Plane:
ü Turkish Airlines
operates at least 2
flights per day from
different big cities in
Turkey to Cappadocia.
Luggage: 20kg. There
are 8 flights/day
departing from
Istanbul; the flight time
is about 1 hour.
Bus:
ü You can take a
night bus from big
cities to Cappadocia.
The buses are high
quality and equipped
with wi-fi. Roads are
good and safe.
Motorbike:
ü You can hire a
motorbike to explore
different places.
Hotel:
ü A room at a 4-star
hotel costs about
70-100USD/night and
up to 150USD/night
during the peak
season.
Recommended hotels
in the center of
Cappadocia include:
in Goreme:
ü Goreme Kaya
Hotel
ü 48 rooms, including
3 suites, 2 connecting
rooms, 1 honeymoon
suite, Turkish
bathroom, and indoor
swimming pool.
ü Website: www.
goremekayaotel.com
ü Anatolian Houses
ü 9 standard rooms,
13 deluxe rooms, 5
king and 6 presidential
suite, Turkish bath,
indoor swimming pool
ü Website: www.
anatolianhouses.com.tr
In Ugrup:
ü Sacred House Hotel
ü Special architecture
blends ancient and
modern features as
well as a luxurious
interior design.
Originally, the hotel
was a 250 year old
Greek mansion.
ü Website: www.
sacredhouse.com.tr
In UchisaR:
ü Uchisar Kaya Hotel
ü Website: www.
uchisarkayaotel.com
Tours:
ü Green tour, Red
tour, Blue tour and
Orange tour. You can
book a tour at your
hotel/ local agencies or
hire a motorbike and
freelance tour guides
Adventurous
activities:
ü Sightseeing in a hot
air balloon
ü Discovering Red
River by Jet Boat,
Gondola
ü Exploring Fairy
Chimneys Valley by
jeep
Restaurants and
cuisine:
ü The area provides
the best fruits and
fresh vegetables in
Turkey, especially
apples, cherries, and
olives.
ü You should try
kebab served in clay
pot. It tastes best in
winter.
ü Enjoy dinner and
the “Turkish Night”
show at Evranos
Restaurant, Avanos
Town. “Turkish
Night” is a traditional
show with traditional
music, dance, belly
dancing and other
performances. The
restaurant can serve
up to 400 guests in
an intimate traditional
space.
Shopping:
ü In Cappadocia,
the most favored
goods are handicrafts
such as jewelry with
natural stones, marble
sculptures, ceramics,
and hand-woven
carpets.