We spent our last day in Turkey driving away from Kapadokya then back for a terrific farewell dinner overlooking the city lights of the Fairy Chimneys.
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| Mt. Hassan |
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Because of the unusual geologic layering of volcanic ash and pumice, plus years of erosion, the valleys and hills in the area lent themselves to habitation by those willing to carve a niche for themselves in the earth. Beginning in 2000 BC, the Hittites, were the first known settlers in this area. They started digging into the cliffs and underground.
In later years, persecuted Christians took the digging to deeper depths creating underground cities (up to eight floors down and 4 square kilometers in area)) inside caves and straight down in the valleys to build monasteries, churches, wineries, animal shelters, caravansaries, and homes.
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| Bye, Bye Russ - As He Heads Down Under |
Passages to different levels are narrow and steep where it is more like rock climbing or descent than stair passages. Airshafts and wells built by the dwellers bring fresh air and water to the cities. Some cities that are combined with caves have some natural light on the first levels, but after that it is just dark and claustrophobic. Today of course, these areas are lit with electricity for tourists, but it must have been quite dark and grim lit by torch and little lamps.
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| Monastery Valley Underground City |
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| Dwellers Rolled Huge Mill Wheels Across Tunnels to Thwart Enemies |
We visited two underground cities and a canyon with cliffside dwellings.
All is Well with the Worrall Travel R's - Our last night in Turkey
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