Things to see and do Nevşehir

85 m deep, one can see the rooms of an entire city recreated underground in order to entrench oneself in case of threats: barn, canteen, food and drink stores, wells, churches, ventilation tunnel... It is the deepest and the largest known underground city. It could accommodate 10,000 people. The rooms are wide and the corridors easy to access. The most astonishing thing is to learn that the visible part would constitute only one tenth of its real size.

The village of Kaymaklı dates back to ancient times, when houses were built above and around the underground city, which provided a permanent link. Consisting of 10 levels, we discover in particular the following rooms: food depository, kitchens, barn, church, ventilation tunnel... Its visit is more difficult than Derinkuyu which has larger rooms but it provides stronger sensations when we cross the narrow galleries.

The underground city of Özlüce has a slightly different architecture from the other discovered cities as it tends to spread out more evenly in depth, as evidenced by the lack of successive layers. This visit can be a very good idea if the queues in the other underground cities are too long or perhaps it is its tranquility that will seduce you. For a bakshish, the guard will give you a tour. Negotiate the price!

The valley is located 6 km northwest of Nevşehir. The walkers are more rare because the path is recent. You will find yourself in a fascinating nature with beautiful greenery. This area is full of churches and thousands of pigeonholes dug into the cliffside. The gigantic rocks are riddled with holes or drawn. Hiking in these places is an impressive experience. After 4 km, a hairpin turnoff leads to the Fırın-Asma valley, where you can visit the church of the same name.

It is a religious complex(külliye) founded in 1726, comprising, in addition to the mosque, a medersa, a hospice and a library. The mosque is also called Kur unlu ("with lead") because its dome is covered with this metal. Opposite, the hammam is still in use and welcomes mainly tourists. Open from 6am to midnight, it is possible to get all the traditional treatments at very good prices. Note that the men and women sections are not separated.

The Nevşehir museum is very small but it is free. There are two exhibition halls, archaeological and ethnographic. The latter displays objects from different periods going back to the Bronze Age, and some interesting sarcophagi. On the second floor there is an ethnographic collection of carpets and jewelry. The museum conducts excavations in the village of Şahin Efendi (near Ürgüp), the ancient Sobessos. Friendly staff, especially the director of the museum.