10 Million years ago, a group of ancient volcanoes, Mt.Erciyes, Mt. Hasan and Mt. Melendiz were active volcanic mountains. Ashes coming out from these volcanoes hanged on air for a long time and spread over Cappadocia by wind. Thus, all central Anatolia was covered with volcanic ash about 100-150 meters thick. During these time, some parts of the flat area covered with lava which spewed out from volcanoes. The interesting rock formations, known as “Fairy Chimneys”, have been formed as the result of natural forces such as erosion, wind and rivers. Tufa layer has been eroded in time, sculpted by wind and flood water, running down on the slopes of the valleys. Water finding its way through the valleys created cracks and ruptures in the hard rock. The softer, easily erodable material underneath has been gradually swept away receding the slopes and in this way, conical formations protected with basalt caps have been created. The Fairy Chimneys with caps mainly found in the vicinity of Ürgüp-Avanos-Uçhisar triangle, have a conical shaped body and a boulder on top of it. The cone is constructed from tufa and volcanic ash, while the cap is of hard, more resistant rock such as lahar or ignimbrite. Various types of Fairy Chimneys are found in Cappadocia. Among these are those with caps, cones, mushroom like forms, columns and pointed rocks.
But Cappadocia has always been much more than its dramatic scenery. Humans, too, have left their unique mark on the region, carving cave storerooms, cave stables, cave houses and even entire underground cities out of the rock. To this day many of the soaring pinnacles are still inhabited and many of the rock-cut storerooms are still stuffed with grapes, lemons, potatoes and flat bread waiting for the winter.
The first written documents about Cappadocia are clay tablets which belongs to Hittites and dates back to 4000 years ago. The Hittites settled Cappadocia from 1800 BC to 1200 BC, after smaller kingdoms held power. Then came to Persians who controlled Cappadocia by governors called Satraps. The word of “Katpatuka” was called by Persians meaning “The land of beautiful horses”. Then, the word “Cappadocia” ( Kapadokya in Turkish) is derived from Katpatuka. Followed by the Romans, they established the capital of Caeserea (todays’ Kayseri). During the Roman and Byzantine periods, Cappadocia became a refuge for early Christians from the 4th to 11th Century, After inhabiting in Cappadocia, Christians carved thousands of cave churches, chapels, underground cities and monasteries out of the rock. Many of these churches were decorated with frescoes of medieval saints whose ghostly images still gaze down from the walls. That’s why there are so many churches in Cappadocia date to this period. Later under Seljuk and Ottoman rule,Christians were treated with tolearance. Especially, Seljuks understood the importance of transit trade and they adjusted their economy and millitary accordingly.It is very interesting that for the first time in the history, they built big caravansarais which were desingned to meet the needs of caravans on the silk road which passes along Cappadocia. The area remained part of Ottomans for a long time. Nevşehir, formerly known as Nyssa, was prospered in early 18th Century by the grand vizier Damat İbrahim Pascha who was locally from here. Since then, Nevsehir has been still serving the capital city of Cappadocia.
Cappadocia progressively lost its importance in Anatolia. Its rich past was all but forgotten until a French priest rediscovered the rock-hewn churches in 1907. The tourist boom in the 1980s kick-started a new era, and now Cappaocia is one of Turkey’s most famous and popular destinations. Today, Cappadocia is being protected by the UNESCO since 1983 and takes its place in World Culture Heritage since 1985.
This picture is from Pasabaglari phases of fairy chimneys' formation:
