http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/ Underground Cities Underground Cities? These troglodyte cave-cities were excavated as early as Hittite times, and expanded over the centuries as various marauding armies traversed Central Anatolia in search of captives and plunder. There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest one is Kaymakli underground city, while the deepest is the Derinkuyu Underground City. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236678 85236678 Underground Cities? These troglodyte cave-cities were excavated as early as Hittite times, and expanded over the centuries as various marauding armies traversed Central Anatolia in search of captives and plunder. There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the widest one is Kaymakli underground city, while the deepest is the Derinkuyu Underground City. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236679 85236679 The Taurus mountains, which are technically part of the Alpine chain, in their creation 60 million years ago, caused the warping of the Anatolian plateau. The resulting volcanoes, including the spectacular Mount Erciyas and Mount Hasan, produced the tuff from which the unique landscape of Cappadocia is formed. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236680 85236680 The name of the ancient province in central Anatolia. The irresistible region is created through violent eruptions of the volcanoes Mt. Erciyes (3,916 m.) and Mt. Hasan (3,268 m.) three million years ago. Places which are visited most in the region are : The Göreme Open -air museum with its carved churches, the Ihlara Valley, the underground cities of Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, the fairy chimneys, Avanos with its handicrafts, Zelve and Ürgüp. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236681 85236681 View of the impressive entrances into the underground cities in the Cappadocia area. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236682 85236682 In Cappadocia the dovecotes carved into the upper parts of cliffs or pinnacles almost always face east or south across the valleys. Most of them date from the late 19th or early 20th century, although there are a few from the 18th century. From the point of view of the art historian they are interesting for the rare examples of Turkish folk painting which usually decorate the façade. In the Koran, when Mohammed is fleeing from the Qureysh, he hides in a cave. Spiders weave webs over the entrance and a dove makes her nest, so his pursuers do not bother to look inside and he is saved. In consequence, the generality of Muslims regard pigeons and doves as sacred and do not hunt or eat them. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236683 85236683 The fascinating landscape of Cappadocia with its rock hewn churches, monasteries and underground cities has another feature which few visitors are aware of. These are the dovecotes carved into the rock pinnacles and high valley sides. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236684 85236684 fascinating shapes hewn in the landscape of Cappadocia http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236685 85236685 Panaroma view of Cappadocia area. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236686 85236686 View of the impressive entrances into the underground cities in the Cappadocia area. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236687 85236687 View of the impressive entrances into the underground cities in the Cappadocia area. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236688 85236688 In Cappadocia the dovecotes carved into the upper parts of cliffs or pinnacles almost always face east or south across the valleys. Most of them date from the late 19th or early 20th century, although there are a few from the 18th century. From the point of view of the art historian they are interesting for the rare examples of Turkish folk painting which usually decorate the façade. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236689 85236689 Cappadocia lit up at night. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236690 85236690 Panaroma view of Cappadocia http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236691 85236691 The unique underground cities of Cappadocia. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236692 85236692 The Derinkuyu underground city is located in the same named town Derinkuyu, which is situated 40km from Goreme (30 minute drive). There are about 600 outside doors to the city, hidden in the courtyards of surface dwellings. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236693 85236693 The valleys are sheltered and fertile with an almost temperate climate. The tuff is easily worked and, for milennia, has provided dwellings and and storerooms, both above and below ground, for smallholders. Despite it's increasing popularity with visitors, Cappadocia is very much home to small farmers who can still be seen every day tending their orchards, vineyards and field crops and riding their donkeys home to their cave houses. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236694 85236694 The Derinkuyu underground city is located in the same named town Derinkuyu, which is situated 40km from Goreme (30 minute drive). There are about 600 outside doors to the city, hidden in the courtyards of surface dwellings. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236695 85236695 The Derinkuyu underground city is located in the same named town Derinkuyu, which is situated 40km from Goreme (30 minute drive). There are about 600 outside doors to the city, hidden in the courtyards of surface dwellings. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236696 85236696 The Derinkuyu underground city is located in the same named town Derinkuyu, which is situated 40km from Goreme (30 minute drive). There are about 600 outside doors to the city, hidden in the courtyards of surface dwellings. http://www.vampirehigh.org/apps/photos/photo?photoID=85236697 85236697