Cappadocia

The site for the Inner Circle extension trip is an area rich in historical significance and natural beauty. Over the centuries, inhabitants of the area have carved the porous rocks into homes, churches and cities. Today, many of these ancient cave dwellings have been transformed into lavish second homes and luxury hotels. Visitors flock to the area for the unusual beauty of its valleys, canyons, rock statues and mystical fairy chimneys.

Ten Interesting Facts About Cappadocia

1. Cappadocia is known as the cradle of civilization. One of the world’s earliest communities was founded there 10,000 years ago.
2. Cappadocia’s landscape was formed by mighty volcanoes, leaving cones, fairy chimneys and other strange rock formations.
3. Cappadocia has been settled by a variety of peoples, including the Cappasocians, Persians, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks, Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, Armenians and Ottomans.
4. Cappadocia is know for its many underground communities – rooms and passageways that most likely were excavated by people seeking shelter from would-be conquerors.
5. Since ancient times, inhabitants of the Uchisar valley have carved thousands of pigeon houses into the porous rock. This area, known as Valley of the Pigeon Lofts, Dovecote Valley and Pigeon Valley, has one of the greatest collection of pigeon lofts in the world.
6. The weather in Cappadocia is cooler than most costal areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean. April to mid-June is one of the best times to visit.
7. Many settlements in Cappadocia were originally established as monasteries.
8. The name Cappadocia means "land of beautiful horses" in ancient Persian.
9. Products of the region include alabaster, rock salt, silver, iron, agate and amber.
10. Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, about 450 miles from Istanbul.

Sources:
www.great-adventures.com/destinations/turkey.cappadocia.html
www.museum-hotel.com/cappadocia.htm
www.visitcappadocia.com