The Assyrian cuneiform tablets (
Cappadocia Tablets ) which found in
Koltepe ( Kanes ) indicates that a
lot of trade colonies founded by
Assyrian in Cappadocia at the
beginning 2nd century B.C.
Hatties and Luvies who lived in Cappadocia had
constituted small kingdooms at the
end of the 3rd century B.C. The
state founded by Hitities who had
begun to come to Anatolia was the
centre of Cappadocia. The region was
taken into Frigias protection then
Persians protection in the middle of
the 5th century B.C. They called
this reagon "Katpatuka" ( beautiful
horses country ) and Mazaka (
Kayseri ) was made the centre by
Persians. In the period of Helen,
Cappadocia Kingdom founded by
Ariarathes ( 332 B.C.) was taken
Roman protection in 188. Cappadocia
was one of the earliest centres of
Christianity. In the middle of 7th
century, Cappadocia was attacked by
Arabian, finally in 1071, the reagon
was taken into Turkish protection.
There are churches, chapels, cells
that curved into tufa rocks in
Cappadocia. These structures belong
to middle Byzantian period are in
Goreme, Guzelyurt, Ihlara,
Soganlıdere, Mustafapasa, Zelve,
Konakli, Kaymakli reagions. Ihlara
Valley attracts attention thanks to
the variety of structures and
different kinds of frescos. Except
for cave churches, Andaval Basilika
which 9 km far from Nigde ( 6th
century ), The Virgin Mary church in
Tomarza town ( 5th century ), Ucayak
church near Taburoglu Village in
Kirsehir ( 10th-11th century ),
Karagedik church in Ihlara Valley
are some of the independent
structures. Another characteristic
of Cappadocia is underground cities
that curved and connected with wells
and corridors. In these underground
cities thousands of people can live.
The most important underground
cities are Kaymakli, Derinkuyu,
Ozkonak and Ovaoren.
Goreme Valley which among mysthical fairychimnies
consists of volcanic tufa rocks. In
this valley, there are a lot of
curved churches, chapels,
monasteries, cells of monks and
houses. This valley is a historical
and touristic reagon. The most
important churches with frescos are
Elmali, Karanlik, Carikli, Tokali,
Sakli, Yilanli, Elnazar and St.
Barbara.
Among these structures, Cappadocia Cave Suites
had been used as hayloft, barn and
shelter by local people untill 1980.
At the end of 1990, restoration
works started without damaging
historical and original shapes. Then
Cappadocia Cave Suites has been
turned into such a modern
construction.
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