Guide to Cappadocia
In this world, there are so many places to visit and see. Some of them are natural wonders that can leave any person speechless with their beautiful sights and sceneries. Cappadocia is one of those places which will surely leave you speechless. It is an ancient region that has been unlocked for tourism only in the recent past. What makes this place unique is the fact that its terrain looks like it belongs to another planet. The entire area looks like a dragon with its tail buried underground, complete with horns and fins on top. There are several natural formations called “fairy chimneys” in this place, which have been carved out by centuries of wind erosion.
Who Discovered Cappadocia?
Nobody knows precisely who first discovered Cappadocia. It is generally believed that this place was first discovered by the Hittites, who were a Bronze Age people who built a kingdom known as the Hittite Empire between the 17th and 13th centuries BCE. They came from Central Anatolia and were probably the first people to settle here. Local folktales claim that the Hittites were led to this place by a curious “three-headed bird of foretelling”, but this seems highly fanciful. The Hittite Empire collapsed when the Assyrians invaded and sacked the capital of Hattusa during the reign of Sargon II. It is not known if the Assyrians ever occupied Cappadocia, but they certainly passed by it. Cappadocia is mentioned in the Bible as being part of the Persian Empire.
When and Where Was It Built?
Cappadocia was built in narrow valleys and on the slopes of the volcanic Mount Erciyes, the second-highest mountain in Turkey. The earliest settlements date back to the Bronze Age, but the area became particularly important when the Hittites established a capital in nearby Hattusa. Cappadocia declined after being conquered by the Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs. The Seljuk Turks then settled in the region, but the area became less important after the Mongols destroyed nearby Hattusa in the 13th century. The area then fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and many of the present-day houses in Cappadocia were built during this time. Today, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming from all over the world.
What Made Its Landscape So Unique?
The peculiar landscape of Cappadocia was created by volcanic eruptions that occurred in the region thousands of years ago. As the volcanoes erupted, they ejected large quantities of ash, which settled on the ground and created a layer of fine, tuff rock that was up to several meters thick. The high levels of silica in the ash produced high-quality stone that is easily carved and has excellent properties for construction and durability. The eruption of Mount Erciyes ended about 11,000 years ago. Since then, the ash has been eroded by strong winds, forming the landscape of Cappadocia that we see today. This has created some spectacular rock formations, some of which look like “fairy chimneys” or “sheep’s climbing frames.”
Why was Cappadocia Built?
Cappadocia was not built to withstand an invasion. This region was famous for its “moisture-loving” soil and the “wind-loving” rock formations. Therefore, this place was built to be less susceptible to the effects of weathering. Cappadocia was built to hold strong against the wild and mighty winds that howled through the region, which was a major source of erosion. Cappadocia was carved out by people who were fascinated by the beauty of this place. This region was built to protect the people who had settled there from the elements. It was also built to protect them from the Hittite enemies who were lurking in the nearby cities and towns. Cappadocia was a good place for growing crops, but these crops needed to be protected from the elements. This place is thought to have been ideal for growing grapes, and historians believe that this place may have been famous for the cultivation of grapes in the ancient world.
How was Cappadocia Used by People of Antiquity?
This place was used by people of antiquity as a refuge and shelter from all kinds of natural disasters and enemies. It was a “safe place” that could protect the people who lived there against floods, wild animals, strong winds, and even against the Hittite enemies. In this place, people also used to grow crops and grow grapes. Cappadocia was famous for its grapes and wine. This place was one of the few places in the world where grapes could grow. So, the inhabitants of Cappadocia used their advantages and created wines and other grape-based drinks. People of Antiquity from different cultures and communities lived in Cappadocia. So, it was a place where people could easily come together and form a strong community.
Conclusion
Cappadocia is an ancient region that has been unlocked for tourism only in the recent past. What makes this place unique is the fact that its terrain looks like it belongs to another planet. The entire area looks like a dragon with its tail buried underground, complete with horns and fins on top. Cappadocia was built by people who were fascinated by the beauty of this place. This region was built to protect the people who had settled there from the elements. The inhabitants of Cappadocia used their advantages and created wines and other grape-based drinks. Cappadocia was famous for its grapes and wine. This place was one of the few places in the world where grapes could grow. The people who lived in Cappadocia used their advantages and created wines and other grape-based drinks.
