The most beautiful natural sites to discover Anatolia And Cappadocia

To reach Zelve de Çavuşin (or Avanos), you cross the Vallée valley. An unmistakable break to admire the magnificent "fées" of fées. The one with 3 heads, right in the valley, is supposed to have sheltered the Saint of Syria, which served as a model for many hermits de of Cappadocia. You can then begin the climb of Boztepe. The duration of this march is approximately 3 hours 30 with a difference of 150 m.

The Pigeon Valley connects Uçhisar and Göreme. It presents the natural and geological characteristics of the region. Its name was given to it in reference to the multiple colored pigeon houses that it shelters. Please note: it is considered dangerous for some passages, so make sure you are accompanied or explained. 2 hours of walking on a 4 km path. Before arriving in Göreme, several churches can be visited, Kadir Dümuş, Karşı Bucak and Yusuf Koç.

With its 80 m depth and 15 km length, the impressive canyon at the foot of Mount Hasan is carved out of the tuff by the Melendiz River. It connects Ihlara to Selime, with Belişırma in the middle. The first section between Ihlara and Belişırma is marked, possible to continue to Selime. The valley is home to about 100 rock churches and a monastic complex (Kale), many churches have been damaged by the river waters.

Advice: bring non-slip shoes because of the water. There are fish restaurants along the river in Belişırma.

Local youths often offer to be guides for a little money. As part of Cappadocia, the valley then known as Peristremma developed in parallel with Christianity, with the flourishing period beginning in the 6th century and lasting until the 13th century.

Kokar Kilise ("fragrant church", left bank). A single vaulted nave. The apse is partly collapsed (on the side of the entrance). The burial hall joined the church later on. A dominant gray coloring. Dated to the 9th century.

Pürenliseki Kilisesi ("Terrace Church", left bank). Four parts. Vaulted entrance, two naves and two apses, columns. The scenes are very distinct and well separated. It resembles the churches of Kokar and Yılanlı. Dated to the 10th century.

Ağaç Altı Kilise ("church under the tree", left bank). Cross-shaped architecture, vaulted dome, three apses. Dated between the 9th and 11th centuries, it features the traditional themes of the region. Its name comes from the representation of St. Daniel between the lions (just in front of the entrance).

Yılanlı Kilise ("snake church", left bank). Cross-shaped. Vaulted. One apse. The scene on the west wall shows four damned women being attacked by snakes. Dated from the end of the 11th century. A chapel to the north would have served as a burial chamber. Dated to the 9th century.

Kırkdamaltı Kilisesi (St. George's Church, left bank, at Belisırma). Irregular octagonal shape. Possessing a flat ceiling, it has lost its apse. The basement and the sides have housed tombs. A peculiarity is that there are writings mentioning the Seljuk sultan and the Byzantine emperor. Dated to the 13th century (1283-1295).

Kale Manastırı Kilisesi (St. George's Church, at Selime). Known as one of the largest monasteries in Cappadocia. Very well preserved, it is excavated in several tuff cones. The frescoes would go up at the period going from Xth to XIth century.

Lake Kovada (kovada gölü) is located in a national park at 908 m above sea level. With an area of 4 km², it is connected to the Eğirdir Lake by the Aksu River (25 km) and is surrounded by expanses of apple and peach trees. Fishy and 7 m deep, it offers an enchanting setting for fishing (between June and the end of September), picnicking and hiking. There is a possibility to camp. Note that the Kasnak forest is nearby.

Mount climbing can take place in 2 days, with one overnight camp. Depending on the season, crampons and picks may be necessary, guides on site. The view is incredible! One of the two «founders» of Cappadocia, now extinct, houses a ski resort (between 1 800 and 3 000 m) with 1 lifts and 2 ski lifts running from November to May and about tracks.

With an altitude of 2,640 m and largely dominating the region to the west, Mount Davraz is in the continuity of the Dedegöl, Akdaş and Barla mountains. Still little known until recently, it is a resort installed at 2,160 m. Interesting ski area with a variety of slopes, there are also equipment rental companies, cafes. The Sirene Davras Mountain Resort with its 123 rooms welcomes skiers. To get there, it is best to be motorized, otherwise buses go there from Isparta in season.

This bright blue freshwater lake is the fourth largest in the country (517 km²). Several viewpoints offer exceptional panoramas. There are beaches that allow safe swimming. Until the 20th century, the peninsula and Yeşilada (Green Island) were separated. The peninsula was then an island, occupied mostly by a population of Greek origin, which, after the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 imposing the exchange of populations between the two countries, was forced to leave. The pensions usually offer boat tours.

Yüksel Kilise and Manastir is a religious complex. As its name suggests, it consists of a monastery and a church perched on rocks overlooking the Güzelyurt Lake. It is especially for the panorama which the area offers, on the water, the mountains and the mount Hasan, among others, that the stroll is worth the blow. Indeed, the buildings that appear massive from afar are unfortunately covered inside with inscriptions and graffiti.

Zelve's open-air museum offers an incredible setting of rocky peaks and valley sides. If the place is less famous than Göreme, the setting is no less picturesque. Great walks in sight, punctuated by churches and abandoned houses. The three valleys were inhabited until 1952. Don't miss: the mosque built in the rock, the Fish Church (Balıklı Kilise), the Grape Church (Üzümlü Kilisesi) and the Deer Church (Geyikli Kilise).

Much less tourist, it was discovered by chance in 1972 by the owner of the land which is also the imam of the village. Gradually released, two levels are visible and open to the public. According to them, it would extend under the village. There are some differences with the most visited underground cities such as the strange "telephone system" or larger rooms. Nestled on the flanks of the Idiş mountain, Özkonak is worth a visit. The underground city can be a pretext, because the typical village can observe the rural life of the region. The population, increasingly accustomed to tourism, is very welcoming.

Located in the center of Gaziantep, this huge park offers you the opportunity to take a breath of fresh air. With games designed for children, it is a paradise for parents to lounge on the terrace or lawns and is very popular with sportsmen. The morning walks are a delight. If you are traveling with children, you can visit the city's zoo or treat yourself to a day at the amusement park, which is the first of its kind in Turkey.

The legendary Mount Ararat, the highest peak in Anatolia, is a volcano reaching 5,165 m. Its last eruption dates back to 1840. It has two beautiful peaks: the Great Ararat which rises to 5 137 meters and the Little Ararat at 3 896 meters. Experienced climber, you want to try the ascent? Make sure you are prepared (equipment, physical condition, guide), and make sure you plan ahead. The border area with Armenia is controlled by the army and it takes weeks to obtain a permit. The best time to climb is between June and September.

Abraham would have been born in this cave located south of Akarbaşı and would have resided there for the first ten years of his life, hiding from the pagan king Nimrod who had ferociously ordered the execution of all newborns. Today, the birth cave of the Prophet Abraham has become a Muslim place of pilgrimage. Modified over the centuries, it has two separate entrances: one is for men, the other is for women.