7 Wonders of the 21st century
The 7 Wonders of the 21st Century feature amazing successes redefining human creativity and engineering capability. From the calm Temple of Buddha's Origin in Leshan,…
Situated in the heart of Turkey, where ancient whispers resound across valleys shaped by the hands of time, is a world of wonder that inspires the soul and calls to action. Appropriately called the “Land of Beautiful Horses,” Cappadocia calls to the adventurous visitor with its unearthly scenery and rich tapestry of past. Covering almost 5,000 square kilometers, this magical area is evidence of both the unquenchable spirit of human creativity and the raw strength of nature.
As Turkey becomes a top travel destination in the Mediterranean, discriminating visitors search for more than just sunbathing on sandy beaches. Their dreams are for immersive encounters that awaken the senses and challenge the mind. Cappadocia reveals its riches in this attitude, so inviting exploration of its many beauties.
The surreal topography of Cappadocia began almost four million years ago, when volcanic wrath and later erosion combined to produce a scene that defies conventional beauty. Rising “fairy chimneys” punctuate the heavens, their whimsical forms reflecting the inventiveness of those who over millennia turned these stone sentinels into surprisingly sophisticated homes.
Still, the actual wonders of Cappadocia lie under the ground as much as above. Close to Göreme, a great network of subterranean cities opens out, each a masterwork of architectural genius and human endurance. Once shielding entire communities from outside dangers, some of these subterranean sanctuaries are plunging six to seven story deep. While Kaymaklı is the biggest of these subterranean metropolises, Derinkuyu, the most famous of them could house up to 20,000 souls.
Without a visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, no pilgrimage to Cappadocia would be whole. Dating from the 10th century, this living gallery of rock-hewn edifices highlights brilliantly maintained frescoes that provide a window into the life and ideas of bygone eras. With their walls rich in vivid images of faith and daily life, the Church of St. Barbara, the Church of the Serpent, the Church of the Apple, and the Tokali Church are among the height of early Christian art.
One senses otherworldliness as one negotiates the undulating terrain of Cappadocia. The terrain opens out like a surrealist painting come to life, a canvas of craters, valleys, and canyons painted in ochre and red. Unique views challenging one’s view of terrestrial beauty abound from the Valley of the Heart, the Valley of the Imagination, the Valley of the Doves, and the Valley of the Monastery.
A hot air balloon ascent at dawn is nothing less than transcendent for those wishing to really embrace the grandeur of Cappadocia. Hundreds of balloons soar concurrently as the first light of day kisses the horizon, producing an unmatched display of beauty. Set against Cappadocia’s dream environment, this aerial ballet rightfully ranks as the top ballooning site in the world.
Beyond its natural and historical beauties, Cappadocia’s appeal includes distinctive lodging that straddles the past and present. Ancient caverns in Göreme, Ürgüp, and Uçhisar have been turned into opulent hotels with contemporary conveniences right within the embrace of millennia-old rock formations. Here one can savor the dreamlike sensation of lounging in a whirlpool bath created from living stone or staring at the stars from a terrace far above the moonlit valleys.
The gastronomic scene of Cappadocia is equally fascinating; it is a blend of European and Asian cooking styles that seduces the palette. For a light midday meal, savor the local take on pizza, lahmacun. Starting with an array of mezze, then savory kebabs imbued with the tastes of the area, set off a culinary adventure as evening settles. Add the crisp notes of Turkish beer, the comforting warmth of apple tea, or for the more daring, a glass of raki, the anise-flavored spirit that embodies the core of Turkish conviviality to accentuate your meal.
Each vantage point in Cappadocia tells a story; every stone has a secret; every moment presents a chance for wonder. Formed by the hands of many generations and the powers of nature, this land is a living museum where the past and present dance in a timelessly beautiful ballet. Cappadocia provides an experience that goes beyond the usual for those who want to explore the secrets of Turkey’s rich tapestry of history and culture; it invites visitors to enter a universe where reality and fantasy coexist in perfect harmony.
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