Image Credit

Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish) is a region of exceptional natural wonders, none more so than the giant monuments left by Mother Nature in Love Valley.  Situated in the very heart of modern day Turkey this natural wonder sits on a high plateau over a thousand meters in altitude.  Rainfall is sparse in this area and the place has hot dry summers and bitterly cold snowy winters.   There is little rainfall and so the region is generally arid.  In this environment these huge phallic natural structures seems like some sort of ancient homage to male fertility.  However, they are far from man-made despite the resemblance to manhood.

Image Credit

The closest human habitation is the small town of Göreme.  Although you might expect hordes of tourists visiting such a place this is not the case.  The Turkish are gregarious but modest people – you do not get group outings to Love Valley to see the ‘willy shaped’ rocks as you might had they occurred in any number of other countries.  As such the town is small and friendly with little commercialisation as such.  What you will find there, however, is a very genuine and relaxed atmosphere and  a warm welcome.  Although it is unlikely that you will get lost it is considered the right thing to hire a local guide when you head out to see the local geological features.

Image Credit

Image Credit

If you want to see a unique geological site, then this is certainly it – no run of the mill vague shapes here.  These structures mean business.  And they weren’t made by Mother Nature having a funny five minutes – these strange pinnacles are in fact eroded volcanic ash.  You need to be pretty healthy to take all of this is as generally people will go for hikes around the valley rather than driving.  If you are really not inclined to healthy walking then you are able – at some expense – to hire a hot air balloon and see the whole site from the skies.

Image Credit

The local people grow apricots and squash for a living and a little from tourism.  This is something more than subsistence the area is still relatively poor in occidental terms.  The whole region is rich, however, in thousands of years of continuous human history.  It is also the most visually stimulating region of Turkey where the erosion has formed not only these sensuous shapes in the volcanic rock but caves and clefts where people have carved out homes from which they conduct their lives and business.  As you can see the structures are not restricted to the ‘Valley of Love’ itself – the town itself boast more than a few.

Image Credit

The landscape seems foreign – alien almost.  You could almost expect Captain James T round a corner followed by a reptilian adversary.  One can only imagine Kirk’s knowing reaction to the shapes of these rock formations.  Although the landscape looks inhospitable in the extreme the soil is mineral rich.  This makes it an ideal place for growing fruit and vegetables which means the whole area of Kapadokya meets a lot of Turkey’s agricultural needs.  Turkish wine is on the rise in terms of reputation and Kapadokya has many vineyards and wineries – quite a surprise in a Muslim nation.

Image Credit

When you tire – as well you might – at looking at fifty meter high phallic geology then there are other things to do around the small town of Göreme.  There is an open air museum which can be visited by walking about a mile outside of the town at the edge of Love Valley.  There you are in for something of a surprise – seven hundred year old Christian cave paintings.  They were produced by monks inside the cave churches that they excavated from solid rock.  Altogether it could be said to be one of the world’s more unusual museums.  It is a little expensive but worth every Turkish lira.

Image Credit

However, it is the strange rock formations outside of the town’s perimeter in Love Valley that people find the most memorable.  Kapadokya means the ‘land of the beautiful horses’ in Turkish (and it is advisable to learn a few words and phrases – the locals will appreciate it greatly).  Of course, no one comes here to see or trade horses but they come to be inspired by the landscape around them – quite like nothing on earth.

Image Credit

Most tourists come in the summer, so to see these formations in the snow is quite unusual.

Image Credit

The rock formations are a result of volcanic eruptions in ancient times.  Then, millennia of erosion did its work on the igneous rock.  Igneous rock is formed when magma (the molten stuff!) cools down and becomes solid.  It can – as in the case of Kapadokya – be weathered away and create some rather peculiar – or in this case phallic – geological leftovers.

Image Credit

It could be suggested that the Cappadocians could have been more forthright in the naming of the valley, but their natural modesty probably forbad it.  Love is a universal word, after all, and there is nothing that could be considered remarkable in its resemblance to the female equivalent of these enormous formations in the area.  Perhaps ‘Willy Valley’ would just have sounded a little bit silly anyway.  After all, hand in hand with Lake Titicaca the world might very well go to hell in an innuendo ridden handbasket.

Image Credit

Image Credit

Altogether this area of Turkey offers the visitor a variety of different holiday experiences that are – to say the least – that little bit different.  From hiking, biking, to hot air ballooning, Kapadokya offers unusual ways to see the site – and what sites they are.

Image Credit

Ankara Castle

Building date is not known exactly. However, it is known that Byzanthians and Romans use this castle for military purposes. It was captured by Seljuqid Empire in 1073 and became Turkish territory. It is located in Ulus province in Ankara, Genclik Park nearby.

Anitkabir

The graveyard of Turkish Republic founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It is also the graveyard of second president of Turkish Republic, Ismet Inonu. In Anıtkabir, there are many towers. It has a very different architectural structure and was built by famous architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda.

Old TBMM Building

It is located in the center of Ulus province. This is the building where Turkish Republic was founded. Ataturk made his first speech to the members here.

Atakule

The famous shopping centre in Ankara. It is located in Cankaya province. It consists of two parts, namely shopping centre and tower. The build of shopping centre part was completed in 1987. Its name was given by Turkish president Turgut Ozal.

Topkapi Palace

It’s construction started in 1459 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. Mehmet II is one of the important sultans of Ottoman Empire since he was the the conquerer of Istanbul. Topkapi Palace was the home and official residence of Ottoman Emperors from 1465 to 1863. The historical tissue of Topkapi Palace damaged because of big earthquakes and fires. Currently, Topkapi Palace is museum. It is under administration of Ministry of Culture and Tourism. When you visit Topkapi Palace Museum, you can see a large collection of Ottoman art and architecture, Ottoman miniatures, weapons, shields, armor and a display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry.

Dolmabahce Palace

It is located at the European side of Istanbul. After 1853, it was used as the official residence of Ottoman Emperors. It was also the administrative center of Ottoman Empire from 1853 to 1922. Dolmabahce palace is the first European style palace in Ottoman Empire history. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid II between 1842 and 1853. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and the first president of Turkey Republic, spent his last years in this palace. Ataturk died in November 10, 1938 in Dolmabahce Palace.

Yildiz Palace

It was built in 1880 and used by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. Inside Yildiz Palace, there are apartments, pavilions, theatre, opera house, museum and a porcelain factory.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Unlike Dolmabahce, Topkapi and Yildiz palaces, Beylerbeyi Palace is located at the Assian side of Istanbul. It was built between 1861 and 1865 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. It was designed in baroque style. It was mainly used as a place to entertain visiting heads of state. Sultan Abdulhamid II spent his last years of captivity in Beylerbeyi palace. He died in Beylerbeyi Palace in 1918.

Ciragan Palace

It is located between Besiktas and Ortakoy at the European side of Istanbul. It was built between 1863 and 1867 by the order of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz. It was designed by famous Armenian architect Nigogayos Balyan and constructed by his sons Hagop and Sarkis Balyan. In 1910, it was destroyed by a great fire. However, the ruined palace was restored in 1991. It was designed in Baroque style during restoration. Currently, it is used as a five-star hotel.