We began today’s hike in Ortahisar that served as a sanctuary for the early Christians. This is another town with a castle in the middle of the village but wasn’t the objective. Zelve and the underground city of Kaymakli would be the group’s last sights in Cappadocia. There are many hiking trails throughout this area. The hiking is not difficult and it didn’t take long until we arrived at the deserted city of Zelve, now turned into an open-air museum. The Byzantines and Turks originally lived here and Zelve was an important religious area during the 9th-13th centuries. The locals were moved in 1952 to a new town, Yeni Zelve, because of rock erosion.

The group had free time to explore hidden churches with beautiful frescoes…View image… before a trip to the underground city of Kaymakli… It was quite a shock to see all the campers and mini-buses in the parking lot of Kaymakli…View image…after the the solitude in the quiet valleys.

Kizilirmak (Red) River of Cappadocia, Turkey 

Zelve ancient city sign, Cappadocia, Turkey
Kaymakli Underground City was first opened to tourists in 1964 and has nearly 100 tunnels. The tunnels are still used as storage areas, stables, and cellars and the houses in the village are constructed around them. Over 5,000 people could shelter in this city during wars. Only four floors out of the 12 are open to tourists and each space is organized around vertical ventilation shafts. The ventilation shaft is about 120 meters/393 feet deep and passes all floors similar to an elevator. This, I found, extremely impressive and is really the only fact that sticks in my mind when I think of Kaymakli.

ventilation shaft markings in the underground city of Kaymakli, Turkey 

Sheila in a tunnel somewhere in Cappadocia, Turkey
Three very unique days in Cappadocia was over. A few last minute photos…View image, last minute shopping…View image, and it was time for the late afternoon drive to Ankara for dinner and hotel overnight.

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