HIDDEN DWELLINGS OF CAPPADOCIA TOUR
The Hidden Dwellings tour will give you deep insight about the religious, military and daily life in the olden days at different natural settings while taking you to places of great panoramic views including the highest and lowest points in Cappadocia.
Uchisar Castle, being the highest point in the region (about 180 m), was the vantage point for military use throughout the history and today is a most popular spot for the gorgeous 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding valleys.
Red Valley is named after its unrivaled reddish pink tufa strata which take a different shade every hour and with every turn. It is an untouched nature that surrounds you here, peaceful and yet exciting with unexpected beauties. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you to the Hacli Kilise (Church with the Cross) which is accessed by a narrow path, from where you will also have a great view of the valley.
Then to Uzumlu Kilise (Grape Church) from 8th or 9th century which is carved like a monastery, known for its rich embellishments containing grapes, hence the name.
Cavusin Village is the end of the route from the Red Valley which is known for its military role in history. They used to communicate by using obsidian mirrors to reflect light from the towers of Cavusin Church to confirm the message of the invasion that was sent by Uchisar Castle. You will visit the Nicephorus Phocas Church from the 10th century in the village which is famous for its frescoes of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas, St. Battalamus and Gospel cycle worked in red, green and white in particular.
Kaymakli Underground City is an amazing subterranean structure entirely carved out of volcanic rock, the beginning of which is uncertain but thought to have existed in the Hittite Age. It was used by the Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries during the Roman persecution and later in 8th to 10th centuries when Moslem Arab raiders were disturbing the area. It is one of the many underground cities in the region that would provide shelter in troubled times and additionally was a perfect storage area with its almost stable temperature throughout the year. A 10 km tunnel connects the city to the next one, Derinkuyu, probably many of them had such connections to other cities as getaway tunnels. Inside, you will be surprised to see how it had been made possible to live for extended periods of time, weeks or months maybe, by means of air shafts, deep wells, barns, storage and cooking areas, refectories, wineries personal quarters, and churches.
