Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
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How it came to be
On the central Anatolian plateau, between Nevşehir, Ürgüp and Avanos, erosion has carved the volcanic rock into ridges, valleys and pinnacles known as fairy chimneys. Volcanoes ring the area, among them Erciyes Dağ at 3,916 metres and Hasan Dağ at 3,253 metres.
Monastic life is thought to have begun here in the 4th century, inspired by the teachings of Basil, Bishop of Kayseri. During the Iconoclastic period (725-842) the churches carried few images, mainly crosses, but after 842 many rock-cut churches were painted with colourful figure scenes. The Tokalı church dates from the 10th century, and the Elmalı and Karanlık churches from the late 12th to early 13th century.
The underground cities of Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu served as refuges, especially during Arab invasions. This rock-hewn heritage records a Byzantine province that lasted until the arrival of the Seljuk Turks in 1071. It was inscribed in 1985.
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