Underground cities of Cappadocia. cave cities of cappadocia

Caves of Cappadocia - now a region of central Turkey, in ancient times hid the early Christians from Roman persecution.

The caves were equipped with underground temples, decorated with frescoes on religious motifs. Entire monasteries were located in man-made caves dug in pliable tuff.

The emergence of caves, and not only, contributed to the volcanic activity of the giant Erciyes - a volcano with a height of more than 3900 meters. Perennial eruptions covered a 100-meter layer of ash and flooded the Kayseri plain with lava. Lava, when cooled, turned into a basalt mineral, which is characterized by high hardness. From the ashes, tuff was formed - a fine-grained and malleable stone for processing. Natural factors: wind, sun, temperature fluctuations and precipitation - have done a gigantic job of forming rocks of a bizarre shape.

The legends of today's Cappadocia tell of giants who tried to take possession of local lands. But supposedly Allah turned the bodies of the invaders into bizarre pillars, columns and other forms of rock, towering over the valley to a height of 30 meters.

Eternal craft

Since ancient times, the inhabitants of the valley have been engaged in winemaking and pottery. To this day, potters in the town of Avanos produce pottery near their workshops, attracting the attention of tourists, and those who wish are offered to try to create a jug or bowl themselves. Unpainted pottery has survived, hung on the branches of dried trees either for drying or for advertising.

In the background, behind a tree with pots, is the rocky settlement of Yuchhisar (Three Castles), which looks like a disorderly heap of carved dwellings with doors and windows. In the center of the settlement there is a 100-meter peak, turned into a kind of castle of bizarre outlines.

There are many caves for various purposes, made by many generations of people.

cave churches

The huge caves of Cappadocia, carved into the pliable tuff, were equipped as temple structures. Altars and other church utensils were also cut out of tufa and decorated with intricate carvings. The construction of such structures is closer to the work of a sculptor, when (as the great Michelangelo Buonarroti said) everything superfluous is cut off.

The creation of churches and monastic settlements was encouraged from the 4th century, by the first Byzantine bishop of the capital of Cappadocia - Caesarea (the current city of Kayseri) Basil the Great, later canonized as a saint. Many churches are well preserved, despite their use in different times like storage rooms and sheds, poultry houses and stalls for horses. The most famous among the surviving temples are the churches of St. Basil and the Church with an apple of the 11th century, as well as the Dark Church of the 12th century.

Numerous churches in the man-made caves of Cappadocia are not guarded by anyone, so many structural elements and images have been damaged by vandals of various eras.

The erased faces of some characters are the work of Muslims; their faith forbids drawing people, especially depicting faces.

Frescoes of underground temples

Carved columns and arches, vaults and walls were decorated with frescoes depicting martyrs for the faith and decorated with various patterns and ornaments. The images in the temples of the caves of Cappadocia of the 11th-12th centuries retained their colors, as if painted recently - the lack of exposure to sunlight affected.

The murals of the church of St. Barbara depict Christian saints, warriors with lances and horses. On icons, horses are quite unusual; their appearance may be due to the ancient occupation of local residents. Horse breeding gave the name to the Cappadocia region - Country beautiful horses.

The church with an apple got its name because of the fresco depicting the Archangel Michael, in the palm of which is a red ball resembling an apple. A different origin of the name is explained by the presence of apple trees around the structure. The entrance to this church is destroyed, you can get inside only through a narrow hole. The room inside the church is carved in the shape of a cross. The walls with columns and the vault of the ceiling are painted with the faces of saints and other images.

The dark church is decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the New Testament. After the conquest of Cappadocia by the Turks, the church was used as a dovecote; pigeons were bred to obtain an agricultural fertilizer that significantly increases productivity - bird droppings. To ensure the access of tourists, it was necessary to clean the church of litter so thoroughly that the procedure lasted more than 10 years.

alien landscapes

Truly landscapes of other worlds open up in the Valley of the Monks - Pashabag. Tuff deposits formed from volcanic ash have been exposed to various natural factors. The subsidence of the rock and the formation of cracks and talus, water flows and streams dissected the layers of tufa into whimsical figures in the form of cones, pyramids and towers.

The hermits carved out monastic cells for themselves inside these formations, living in solitude and prayers. One of these hermits lived here for many years, St. Simeon of Cappadocia.

Equally fantastic paintings are found in the Göremi Valley, which is now a national park and listed world heritage UNESCO.

Local Museum under open sky includes the largest complex of cave monasteries and temples. Here are single cells, and structures of various sizes, up to very large ones, with large halls and vaulted ceilings.

Cappadocia is located in Turkey and annually attracts many tourists from all over the world. The name of the area translates as " beautiful horses." However, Cappadocia is more famous for its mountains of volcanic origin and the ancient settlements found in them.

The settlements include cave monasteries and houses, as well as entire underground cities. One of the reasons for the emergence of these stone settlements lies in the fact that Cappadocia is not rich in vegetation. The lack of sufficient trees led to the need to use materials other than wood for construction.

Local rocks are composed of tuff. This material is easy to process, it can easily be hollowed out. However, after a long contact with fresh air, the tuff turns to stone, the building becomes strong and indestructible.

Stone structures erected in this way and caves carved into the rocks are still used today. local population. For example, the inhabitants of the village of Goreme use the caves as storerooms. Some buildings have electricity, which allows them to be used as living quarters.

Story cave settlements Cappadocia

Historically, the caves of Cappadocia were used by the locals not only as housing, but also for protection during enemy raids. The terrain is located in such a way that enemy tribes and foreign invaders periodically passed through it. Therefore, the population tried to create the most reliable shelters.

The caves were perfect place to escape the invaders. mountainous terrain terrain made it difficult to search for and detect such shelters. In addition, it was quite easy to hide in the caves themselves - it was enough to barricade the main entrance. At the same time, the premises were very spacious and could hide a large number of residents from prying eyes.

So, in cave settlements, local residents fled from the raids of the Thracians and Arab nomads. The troops of the majestic army of Alexander the Great stopped here during the conquests. And later, the first Christians found shelter from the Roman soldiers in the settlements.

Unlike ground stone buildings and caves, underground cities are not so visible from the surface. To date, 6 large underground settlements have been opened: Tatlarin, Ozkonak, Mazykayu, Derinkuyu, Ajigol and Kaymakly. In total, there are more than two hundred underground settlements.

The first of the stone cities was accidentally discovered in the 19th century by the French priest Gerfanion. Having descended into a strange hole located in the middle of the plain, the holy father found himself in an underground city, going deep into several floors. The city had drinking wells, ventilation shafts and several temples.

The inhabitants of such a city had all the necessary conditions for life and could only come to the surface to get food and cultivate the fields. The security of the dungeon was provided by a few narrow entrances, which, in case of a threat of invasion, were closed with large stone boulders and millstones.

Cultural and religious significance cave settlements in Cappadocia

The ability to fairly easily equip a dwelling in a cave attracted monks to Cappadocia, who used the caves as cells. The first followers of Christianity, persecuted by Muslims, also flocked here.

It was believed that life stone caves, devoid of any comforts, brings enlightenment. Here the monks could live alone with nature, away from cities and large settlements.

The population density of Cappadocia was very high. This is evidenced by the location of dwellings in several tiers. Some caves are so high above the ground that they can only be entered with a rope ladder.

In the caves, not only sketes and cells were arranged, but also temples. Today, there are about a thousand temples carved into the rocks in Cappadocia that have survived to this day. It is assumed that earlier their number was even higher. According to historical information, in one of the periods, the construction of new caves in the region was prohibited by the authorities in order to avoid overpopulation of the area.

Another functional purpose of the caves is their use as rock dovecotes. In almost every valley in Cappadocia, you can see small rooms with many cells in the walls. However, their appearance dates back to the end of the 18th century, when local farmers began to use bird droppings to fertilize the scarce sandy soils.

One of the valleys is even called Güvercinlik Vadasi, which means the Valley of Dovecotes. In specially designated rooms with many niches, pigeons made their nests and laid their eggs. On average, from 50 to 200 birds were placed in one room.

The upper part of the premises had several small holes for birds, and in the lower part there was a closing hole for people. Dovecotes were set up high in the mountains and visited only a few times a year to clean up the precious bird droppings.

The current state of the cave settlements of Cappadocia

Today in Cappadocia, 6 valleys with cave and underground settlements and temples are open for tourists to visit. Land-based rock fortresses Uchhisar, Bashhisar and Ortahisar also attract visitors. Travelers can also visit national park Goreme.

Of the underground cities, only two are open to the public - Derinkuyu and Kaymakli. Here tourists can go down deep into the narrow passages and reach the impressive halls. Underground rooms are very large, some halls are decorated with columns. Between floors, you can move along the stone stairs.

Smaller and more numerous underground caves in ancient times were used by residents as rooms for living, pantries for storing vegetables and fruits, and kitchens for cooking. The underground cities had their own chapels and temples.

Today, underground passages and rooms accessible to tourists have electric lighting, as well as signs to help you navigate through the numerous labyrinths.

Where are the cave settlements of Cappadocia

Excursion to inspect land-based settlements, they most often go to the Uchhisar valley, where local residents still use caves as dwellings. Electricity is provided in stone houses. Many caves have windows and doors. The interior decoration of the premises is made up of ordinary furniture, and carpets are used as decoration.

Such peculiar cave apartments are quite often made of modern brick extensions. And the residents who moved into modern buildings use the caves as warehouses and storerooms.

In the valley there is also a special attraction - Uchisar Cave Castle. Literally, the name Uchisar is translated as "extreme fortress". The castle is high rock, dotted with rooms and tunnels carved into it. The height of the fortress reaches 60 meters. Exactly this high structure in Cappadocia.

Uchisar Castle has historically been used as defensive structure. To date, most of its rooms are closed to the public. But tourists can climb to the upper observation deck and admire the view of the cave city.

Bashhisar fortress has been known since the Seljuk period. The name of the majestic building literally translates as "the main fortress." The large city of the same name Bashhisar, which today is called Yurgup, was also located here.

Ortahisar Castle is located between two central and extreme fortresses. The very name of the castle means "middle fortress". Nearby is the city of the same name, from where you can make for sightseeing.

In Goreme, tourists have the opportunity to admire the Cappadocian frescoes of the period of the 9th - 11th centuries. They were also discovered by the priest Zherfanion in the local rock churches. The wall paintings of this period are considered a symbol of the flourishing of Byzantine painting in Goreme, and the 11th century is called the "Golden Age" in the art of painting in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia has one of the most long rivers - Red river Kazylyrmak. The water in the river has an unusual red hue due to great content limestone and ironstone. On the banks of the river, not far from the cave settlements of Cappadocia, is located ancient city Avanos, famous since the 20th century BC for its pottery.

IN small village Cavusin to the northeast of Goreme is the Basilica of St. John, built in the 6th century. On the mountain you can also see a church called the Dove House. On the walls of the church, frescoes have been preserved, the plot of which reflects the campaign of Nicephorus Phocas, which he made in the 10th century through this territory.

How to get to the cave settlements of Cappadocia

Cappadocia is located in the central part of Turkey. You can get here by bus or plane from almost anywhere. big city , including from Istanbul, to which the main international flights with tourists.

Going to Cappadocia by bus, it is best to take tickets to the village of Goreme. It is she who is considered the heart of the region. locals mainly engaged in tourism and agriculture. From here you can also get to other cities of the valley.

You can get to the valley of cave settlements on your own, in a rented car. To explore the many sights, it is recommended to stay in hospitable hotels in the cities of Uchisar, Yurgup, Avanos and Chavushin. Waiting for tourists small towns Nevsehir and Ortahisar.

Turkey is not necessarily a seashore. Perhaps a more exciting journey awaits you if you go to its center. Ancient Cappadocia leaves a lasting impression. These are fantastic landscapes. delicious food and aviation lessons.

It is said that everyone has seen Cappadocia at least once in their life. Many have watched her in the fantastic Star Wars saga. The rest, although they do not remember it, saw her in dreams, from which she seems to have arisen. Having flown over Cappadocia in a balloon, Mikhail Ryabov is sure that he will dream of her even more often

Cappadocia is the throne of Turkey, the center of the country, a favorite, honorable and mystical place. Its architecture was created millions of years ago by volcanoes, is still being completed by time, and protected by UNESCO. Volcanic ash became tuff, lava turned into basalt. Earthquakes, temperature changes, wind and precipitation over 30 million years have taken everything superfluous from the plateau, exposing a wonderful profile. It turned out so beautiful, how mysterious.

The people who inhabited these lands most of all appreciated the soft and pliable tuff. An ideal building material, especially when everything around is already built. The fractal ornamentation of canyons, valleys and rocks has become a map of settlements. troglodytes, or underground inhabitants, fearing enemies, did not build houses, but settled in tuff bowels. The mountains became hollow. They turned into termite-like fortresses. Dug caves-high-rise buildings - into dwellings with labyrinths of corridors and stairs. Furniture was immediately carved from stone, as a whole with the wall and floor. The duet of nature and time has created many role models for architects. Antonio Gaudí made Cappadocia the theme of his art. Le Corbusier drew sketches among the local mountains for inspiration. Look at his Ronchamp chapel - am I the only one who thinks that she comes from here?

Dovecotes are arranged on the facades facing the valley. Pigeons were not only communication operators, but also assistants to winemakers. Local wine has been a source of pride since Roman times, and pigeon droppings are the best fertilizer for the vine.

Since the 3rd century AD, Cappadocia has been a haven for early Christians. It is mentioned in sacred writings. Hermit monks, seeking enlightenment, moved away from the vain world into caves. George the Victorious, who, according to Latin texts, was born here, moved to the coat of arms of Moscow. These mountains, with their numerous rock monasteries and temples, superbly preserved ancient frescoes, are sacred in themselves.

"Ekorche", "muscles of the earth" - tight lines of hills, like the press cubes of a sleeping giant. Terracotta color is like an enviable tan. Red sunset gives the slopes the sun. Is it the shadows playing or the mountain moving? Haze of heated air. Everything here is alive, full of life, filled with juice. Erosion Erotica. In Brodsky's Cappadocia, Tsar Mithridates sees an exciting dream before the battle - the lines of the hips, shoulders, female breasts. His awake army is content with this view under a full moon. A dream that blends into the landscape. It becomes obvious that the landscape has a floor. Entertaining gender geology. In a valley with smooth hemispheres of tents, the gender is clearly feminine. Many pillars-colossi with rounded basalt tops filled the neighboring Valley of Love. These gigantic phalluses sticking up to the sky are here called "fairy chimneys". Gracefully. Valentina Tereshkova, in response to the question of what the Earth looks like from above, admired Cappadocia for a long time. Director Lucas turned one of the valleys into a movie set Star Wars. Despite the opinion of geologists, there are those who consider everything around to be traces of a giant extraterrestrial spaceport. Maybe they are just right?

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photo Mikhail Ryabov

photo Mikhail Ryabov

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and all-all-allphoto Mikhail Ryabov

Anastasia Khavzhu

Altitude 1000 metersphoto Mikhail Ryabov

We are above all! photo Anastasia Khavzhu

photo Anastasia Khavzhu

To feel the feeling of flying is what a visitor to Cappadocia must experience. This landscape is designed to float slowly and majestically above it. It is especially fascinating that hundreds of multi-colored balloons start off into the air with you in the predawn twilight. Our experienced British hot-air balloon pilot shows the wonders of controlling this huge vehicle. We fly up and freeze almost at the entrance to the cave at the very top of the mountain, lightly touch its top with a gondola, confidently, from the very thick of the balls, soar to a record height. The heart stops: we are above all and the first to meet the dawn. Welcoming a new day Balloons under the rays of the sun from top to bottom are filled with bright colors. Flames bursting out of the nozzle noisily, radio talks, a spacious open gondola, a dozen passengers, an incredible height. I want to float endlessly. Pure delight. Clicking on the phone detailed map terrain, everyone is trying to capture themselves against such an exciting background. This is where a selfie stick would come in handy!

A lizard on a stone, a turtle under it, a two-humped camel dozing on the sand. Animals blend into the landscape. The landscape resembles a petrified zoo. The limit of Cappadocian mimicry. A group of Turkish women wrapped in identical clothes, repeating the silhouettes of rocks, silently disappears into the entrances of the caves. Sufi dervishes are dancing. Snow-white dome skirts whirl in discs. One hand is raised above the head with the palm to the sky, the other bowed to the ground. Meditative dance-prayer of the sower of cosmic energy.

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camel rock photo Anastasia Khavzhu

Zemi Valley photo Anastasia Khavzhu

Hotel Argos in Cappadocia

The quintessence of Cappadocia and a guarantee that you won't miss anything when you stay here. The hotel is located on the slope of the mountain-fortress Uchisar, the main symbol of the region. Argos in Cappadocia is a carefully restored settlement with historic houses, streets, tunnels and caves. Each of the terraces of the rooms is your own Observation deck with a fantastic view of pigeon valley. Balloons flying right over your terrace will decorate your breakfast. I really want to take tours here. The locals will look you over politely. Are you some kind of celebrity? argosincappadocia.com

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Hotel bedroom

Terrace overlooking the valley

Hall of Ceremonies - former cave basilica

Vinoteka

Before becoming a hotel, this place was both a monastery and a caravanserai on the Great Silk Road, and even a linseed oil factory. In the depths of the rock, in the monastic catacombs, are the wine warehouses of the SEKI restaurant and its magnificent wine cellar, in the refectory there is a ceremony hall. Tasting rooms are more like basilicas and chapels. The hotel's concierge service is happy to organize any tours and activities for you. Argos in Cappadocia is located 37 kilometers east of Nevsehir Airport, at the epicenter of art galleries, antique shops and restaurants. Detailed instructions how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia can be found on the website cappadocia-elenatruva.ru/kak-dobratsya-do-kappadokii.html

To Do List

1. Fortress Uchisar. A 60-meter rock-fortress, climbing on which you can see the whole of Cappadocia, including the tops of volcanoes.
2. Goreme Open Museum Heart of Cappadocia. It is a group of rocks with caves around a small valley. They house churches, chapels, monasteries with beautifully preserved frescoes and decorative elements.
3. Derinkuyu Underground City. The most famous of these cities (the name in Turkish means "deep well") has 12 (!) Levels. Not for those suffering from claustrophobia.
4. Nearby Valleys: Zemi, Love, Red, Pink, Pigeon and "Valley of Monks" Pashabag. It's hard to choose just one for walking. It is better to go around them all, you can go around on a bicycle, on horseback or on a mule, admiring the diversity.
5. Balloons. For aeronautics, I recommend using the Royal Balloon company royalballoon.com. Excellent service (you will be picked up from the hotel), an hour and a half flight, the best pilots, a soft landing, a meeting on the ground with champagne and a gift medal with a certificate after.
6. Wine collection SEKI. Enjoy a glass of Kalecik Karasi by Corvus at the Argos in Cappadocia's SEKI wine cellar, accompanied by a wonderful accompaniment of traditional Turkish snacks. I am sure that you, like the great chef Heston Blumenthal, will appreciate the highest quality of the drink and take a bottle of this red wine home with you.

A documented history of the underground cities of Cappadocia. From III millennium BC to the V-X centuries. AD

Thus, the underground cities of Cappadocia could have existed as early as the 3rd millennium BC, and probably much earlier. The fact is that as a result of research conducted by specialists from the archaeological institutes of Ankara and England in the vicinity of Urgup in 1964-1966. Paleolithic stone tools have been discovered ( stone Age, 2.5 million years ago - 12-8 thousand years ago) and Neolithic (Late Stone or New Stone Age, in the Middle East began 9.5 thousand years ago) periods. As a result of research carried out under the guidance of Professor I. Todd, in Cappadocia, many settlements of the Neolithic period were found, in particular, in Nevsehir, Nigde. The largest of them are the Neolithic settlements of Igdeli Cheshme, Ajigol and Tatlarin, located near Nevsehir. But in Adzhigol and Tatlarin there are underground cities, and in Tatlarin, besides, there is a huge rock city connected to the underground.
The Neolithic period is dated in Anatolia from 7100 - 6300 BC. BC. (Chatalhoyuk). And, what is most curious, among the numerous remains of this time in Chatalhoyuk, an international archaeological expedition led by Professor I. Hoddler (1993 - present) found not only objects made of obsidian, but also objects (needles) made of metal (bronze ). And this pushes back the beginning of the use of metal in Anatolia in the 7th millennium BC. and means that the underground structures of Cappadocia could be cut through with metal chisels not only in the 3rd-2nd millennium BC, but also in the 7th millennium BC, that is, long before the Hittites arrived in Cappadocia.
According to the results of the latest archaeological research, the Calcolithic period (Bronze Age) is dated in Anatolia 5900 - 3200 years. BC. Chemical analyzes of objects made of obsidian showed that their main sources were Mount Gollu and Nenezi, which date back to the early Neolithic period. This pushes back the construction of the underground cities of Cappadocia with the help of obsidian tools to the 8th millennium BC. Then they were repeatedly used and completed by local residents.
According to the professor of archeology from Nevsehir Suleiman Komoglu, the underground cities of Cappadocia existed in the VI century BC, during the reign of King Midas of Phrygia. The Phrygian kingdom was the second largest known state in Anatolia after the fall of the Greater Hittite Kingdom in 1200 BC. BC. It was created in 750 BC, and before that, the so-called Dark Period in the history of Cappadocia continued.
The Cimmerians who arrived from the north destroyed the hegemony of the Frigi. It is believed that the Frigi cut out (or maybe used) underground shelters precisely for the purpose of defense against the Cimmerians. From the 6th century BC. Medes (585 BC) and Persians (547 BC) appeared in Anatolia.

In 700 BC the later Hittite kingdom of Tabal also existed, including Kayseri, Nigde, Nevsehir, Aksaray and Urgup, and other state formations of the Hittites. The center of the Tabal kingdom was Tuvanuvaa (Tiane) near Nigde. In the Hittite rock inscriptions dating from this period, there is information about (underground cities?) Gyulshehir, Adzhigol and Khadzhibektash.

From the 5th century BC. Anatolia was ruled by the Assyrians (Persians). The Persians lingered in Cappadocia until 332 BC, ruling the region through the Satrapy system. Alexander the Great, who defeated the kingdom of the Persians, met resistance in Cappadocia (332-322 BC). Subsequently, the subjects of the Satrapies formed an autonomous state called the Kingdom of Cappadocia, which existed until 17 BC.
In 17 BC Cappadocia, like other parts of Asia Minor, fell under the rule of the Romans. During this period, the inhabitants of Cappadocia hid from the Roman tribute collectors in underground cities and shelters.
In the II and III centuries. AD the first Christians found shelter and refuge in them. In the IV century. Christians, spreading throughout Anatolia, made secret and distant monasteries and churches inside the rocks from the tuffs of Ykhlar and Goreme.

The use of underground cities as shelters was due to the fact that Cappadocia has long been on the way trade routes between West and East, North and South, and was constantly subjected to invasions of conquerors (see above). Therefore, the locals began to hide with all the wealth and pets underground. Moreover, in huge underground cities, where several tens of thousands of people could fit, there was everything: living quarters, stalls for cattle, kitchens, etc., which allowed people to lead a normal life. In such cities, people could safely hide for several months.

Most of the finds in underground cities date back to the 5th-10th centuries. AD, that is, the Byzantine period. It is believed that at this time in Cappadocia, the number of underground dwellings (old or newly built, according to various authors) used for defensive and religious purposes increased.
In the 7th century, during the reign of the Byzantines, Cappadocia was attacked by the Sassanids and Arabs, which forced the Christian communities to go underground. People took with them livestock, poultry, household items - everything that could facilitate their existence underground.
In 1074, Cappadocia became part of Ottoman Empire and peace and harmony were established in the region. The underground cities seem to have been forgotten. They (Derinkuyu and Kaimaikly) were rediscovered only in 1963-1964, although some underground structures were used for household needs for the rest of the time and continue to be used to this day.

The history of the construction and expansion of underground structures in Cappadocia through the eyes of various researchers

The history of the construction and expansion of Cappadocia's underground structures, like their age, is the subject of scientific speculation. According to some researchers, at first (in the 3rd millennium BC, perhaps earlier, perhaps later), separate small underground shelters were cut down in soft tuffs; over the years they have become more and more. The increase in the number of underground rooms and the corridors and galleries connecting them led in the 1st millennium BC, the first centuries AD. or in the V-X centuries. AD to the formation of large cities underground.
According to other researchers, in the III millennium BC, and possibly even earlier, there already existed extended and branched underground cities, and the further development of underground structures took place through their repeated slight expansion and deepening. In fairness, it should be noted that there are much more supporters of the first point of view.
There is a third rather large group of researchers who, despite the facts of the discovery of tools made of obsidian, metal, Hittite writings and finds of the Hittite and pre-Hittite eras, argue that the underground cities of Cappadocia began to be built only at the end of the 1st millennium BC. and even in the first centuries of our era.

modern science has not yet fully revealed all the secrets of the creation of this miracle of architecture, and the methods used by ancient architects for centuries or millennia often have to be guessed. The upper floors, which are more ancient, were roughly carved using primitive techniques, while the lower ones are more perfect in terms of finishing.

All researchers note the long-term use of the underground cities of Cappadocia

Despite such a different understanding of the time and history of the construction of the underground cities of Cappadocia, all researchers are unanimous in one thing - they were used by the local population for a long time for economic and defensive purposes. The best confirmation of this is the adaptation of part of the underground structures by local residents for their own needs to this day - for some it is part of his own house, someone has a barn or cellar in them, someone keeps cattle underground. We have seen this many times in different places Cappadocia.

Underground cities of Cappadocia in historical chronicles and works of modern scientists

And what do historical chronicles say about the time of construction of underground structures in Cappadocia?
The oldest known written source about underground cities dates back to the end of the 4th century BC - this is the "Anabasis" of the ancient Greek writer and historian Xenophon (c. 427-c. 355 BC). This book tells about the arrangement for the night of the Hellenes in underground cities. It states in particular:

« In populated areas, houses are built underground. The entrance to the houses was as narrow as the throat of a well. However, the interior spaces were quite spacious. Animals were also kept in carved underground shelters, special roads were built for them. The houses are invisible if you do not know the entrance, but people entered these shelters by stairs. Sheep, kids, lambs, cows, birds were kept inside. The locals made beer from barley in earthenware vessels... and the inhabitants made wine in wells...».
"We discovered Anabasis by chance and were surprised at its size. The tunnels leading down are such that you can drag an elephant through them. Many large and small stairs. Huge wells. Underground squares for public dancing. These cities are made so that no one sees them from surface.The people were the enemies of their inhabitants".
Another ancient Greek geographer and historian Strabo (c. 64 BC - c. 24 AD) reported: “ This country, from Lycaonia to Kaeserea including Megegob, despite the lack of irrigation of the area, contains the deepest wells».
Professor of archeology from Nevsehir Suleiman Komoglu explained: " Officially, the underground cities of Cappadocia are considered the refuge of the first Christians. Christians have been hiding underground since the time of Emperor Nero, when the Romans began to persecute them. However, they found the caves already empty - accidentally discovering labyrinths. According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture, the "underworld" existed as early as the 6th century BC, during the reign of King Midas of Phrygia - the one who, according to legend, turned things into gold. The inhabitants of the dungeons not only built developed cities, spiraling down to the center of the earth, but also connected them with each other with tunnels. Each tunnel is so wide that a horse-drawn cart could pass through it.".
According to Los Angeles archaeologist Raul Saldivar, who lives and works in Nevsehir: " Both Christians and Phrygians have already found these premises empty. In 2008, a radiocarbon analysis was carried out. He showed that megacities were carved into the rocks about ... 5 thousand years ago. Separate cells were used as banks - tons of gold were stored there. Excavations brought to the surface hundreds of bones of domestic animals, but ... not a single skeleton of a local resident.

Man-made and natural formations located in Turkey. Cappadocia (Greek καππαδοκία, lat. Cappadocia, round. Kapadokya, Persian کاپادوکی et, katpatuka - “country of beautiful horses”) - the historical name of the area in the east of Asia Minor on the territory of modern Turkey (part of the lands of the province of Nevchekhir, Kaiseri, Aksarai and Nizhdaea. ), which has been used since antiquity up to the present day. It is characterized by an extremely interesting landscape of volcanic origin, underground cities created in 1000 BC. e. and extensive cave monasteries, leading its history from the time of the early Christians.

We will start with interesting landscapes of volcanic origin. It is because of them that this land is called the "land of lunar landscapes." The main lunarity consists of interesting geological formations called "fairy chimneys". In general, we have already encountered volcanic phenomena on our website - in the articles "The Road of the Giants and Cape Fiolent" and "". But today we are visiting the consequences of not only volcanic activity, but also weathering.

So, most likely, the fairies, unfortunately, did not take any part in the creation of the stone masterpieces of Cappadocia. Cone-shaped rocks and towers crowned with stone “hats” are a whimsical fantasy of the forces of nature. In their appearance, they really resemble chimneys, and if we also add thin streams of smoke occasionally smoking above them ... The height of individual "chimneys" can reach many tens of meters. Some of them are painted in black or, on the contrary, light colors, while others change colors during the day depending on the sunlight.

To create something like this, nature needed millions of years. Once Cappadocia was the center of an active volcanic region. A long time ago powerful eruptions covered the ground three hundred meters a layer of lava and ash, from which tuff and basalt were subsequently formed.

And then natural fantasy came into play, using all the resources of the sharply continental climate of Cappadocia:

• sudden and significant changes in temperature,
• ground vibrations,
• ice and water
• winds and hurricanes

All of them split the plateau into parts, destroyed the rocks, carried away particles of volcanic rocks, and independent peaks formed on the "carved" rocks.

As the lunar landscape of Cappadocia enchants today, so it has enchanted people for a thousand years. accordingly, the "lunar" world of Cappadocia keeps many mysteries of human history. People could not remain indifferent to this kingdom of stone, mastering the mysterious lands from century to century.

And if the “fairy chimneys” are the main miraculous miracle of Cappadocia, then underground cities, cave temples, monasteries and churches- marvel of human hands. In Cappadocia, there are 36 underground labyrinths, whose age is calculated by many tens of centuries. And, perhaps, not all labyrinths called underground cities are open.

Above these labyrinths stood for hundreds of years ordinary villages, and the people who lived there did not even suspect that under their feet there was a whole world of tunnels and labyrinths stretching underground for many kilometers. Only due to chance (in the 30s of the XX century, one peasant, deepening his cellar, accidentally punched a hole in the "second level"), the "outside" world became aware of the underground cities of Cappadocia.

Some of them have amazing depth. So, the city, located under the village of Derinkuyu, goes down 8 tiers and has a depth of 54 m and an area of ​​400 hectares. It could accommodate almost ten thousand people!

The deepest of the found cities, called "Deep Well", goes down 12 levels. And some even call the city of Kaimakli the “capital” underworld. Despite the small area (only 4 sq. km), such an intricate system of labyrinths has been created here that it is almost impossible to get out of them without help.

All these underground cities were adapted for full life: the air was supplied here by a special ventilation shaft 85 m deep, there were also chimneys that brought smoke out, there were storages for grain and wine, wells for water, temples, refectories and even specific cemeteries where the dead were immured in the walls.

The Greek historian Xenophon has a curious comment about the underground cities of Cappadocia: the pundit lamented that, with all their undeniable talents and virtues, the inhabitants of the "underground" do not ennoble wine with water and drink it in a "terrible" barbaric way - not diluted.

Historical science is still at a loss from the many questions associated with these cities. First, it is not clear what kind of people lived in the "underground" and why people preferred life underground to sunlight.

Some researchers believe that these cities served exclusively for shelter from the enemy, because the external entrances to the underground man-made world were carefully masked (in the same Derinkuyu, the external entrance is an unremarkable hole in the ground). The entrance corridors were blocked by huge stone discs that rolled out of the side niches and which had stops on the inside to roll, and on the outside - an absolutely smooth surface (not to be grabbed) and in the center - a loophole.

Other representatives of the learned fraternity object: they say that enemy armies, as a rule, passed through Cappadocia in transit without stopping, and it made no sense to build such powerful and complex fortifications underground solely for shelter for a short time. And the developed "infrastructure" of the mysterious "dungeon" indicates that it was adapted for permanent life underground.

Other unanswered questions include: where did that huge amount of breed go, extracted from the bowels during the construction of underground cities, and how did it rise up? Another scientists are concerned about the issue of ... sewerage. If underground cities could accommodate about 10 thousand people, then how did they cope with the flows of sewage? Where did it all go? In general, there are many questions, the answers are zero.

In the very center of the "kingdom of fairy chimneys" there is a unique town - Goreme. It is currently considered the largest open-air museum in the world.

The uniqueness of this city is that there is an amazing "exposition" - more 30 rock-cut churches, sculptures, stone chapels and even monasteries - in the Byzantine style and decorated with frescoes, many of which have been perfectly preserved to this day.

According to legend, the first Christians appeared in Cappadocia as early as the 1st century AD, led by the disciples of the Apostle Peter. Then, during periods of persecution, fleeing persecution, Christians expanded and deepened the ancient caves, turning them into secret shelters. They say that Goreme supposedly means the phrase "let no one see."

Life in the caves did not stop even after the persecution of Christians ceased. These places, according to the "cave" monks, were an ideal haven for hermits, and, no matter how strange it may sound, it was here, underground, that the righteous became closer to God.

The very first rock monastery in the Goreme Valley was founded by one of the three Cappadocian fathers and, in general, the pillars of early Christianity - Basil the Great. He is credited not only with the foundation of monasticism, but also with the invention of the iconostasis, the compilation of the liturgy, and the writing of the world's first charter of monastic life. In the 6th century, after fierce disputes and wars with the Arians, Basil went to Cappadocia to find peace in his soul among the silent stones and dark caves and start a truly righteous life.

Mysterious underworlds Cappadocia was also chosen by St. Diodorus, Archbishop of Cappadocia. Moreover, the latter was so fond of the caves that he wished that one single word “Acarus” - “earthworm” would be carved on his crypt.

In Cappadocia - caves and pipes, there is something to see!

Adapted from http://jeen-777.livejournal.com/126495.html