Cappadocia Private Blue Tour

Pigeon valley is located between Göreme and Uçhisar. It takes its name from thousands of dovecotes carved into soft tuffs since ancient times. Although they can be found all over Cappadocia, they are especially plentiful in this valley. Pigeon Valley is a wonderful place where some of the cave houses are painted white to attract the birds. The valley is also famous for its beautiful landscapes.

The underground city of Derinkuyu was discovered in 1963 when a guy decided to do some home renovations and knocked down a wall.
He was surprised to discover a hidden passage beyond which led to a room and more passages. He continued to explore and found a complex tunnel and cave system and ultimately a massive subterranean city carved into volcanic rock. The man had discovered the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu.The city was once able to accommodate many thousands of people. It’s thought Derinkuyu is thousands of years old and was created by the Hitites in the 7th-8th century BCE as a refuge during the Byzantine wars. It was later used as a hiding place for Christians fleeing persecution. Some of the cities are actually linked together by miles of underground tunnels.

Soğanlı is a serene valley with courtyard monasteries and cave churches from the 10th and 11th centuries. The remote valley is forty kilometers southeast of Nevşehir, about a one-hour drive from Göreme. The valley rivals the Göreme Open Air Museum and Ihlara Valley in terms of historic importance and natural beauty, but receives far fewer visitors. Soğanlı Valley is the ideal destination for peacefully hiking around and enjoying ancient churches. Most visitors spend only two hours here, but this deserves a full-day trip. Two creeks have carved out this open green V-shaped valley. The sound of water echoes off the valley walls as birds fly overhead. The setting and rich history make Soğanlı Valley a spectacular destination.

About 17 km away from Ürgüp, in the Keşlik Monastery, there are two churches, a bezirhane, a winery, a kitchen, a dining hall, a school, a meeting room, a holy water source, and houses where monks and priests stay. It is thought that the monastery can accommodate 200 people. It is one of the mystical places that you should definitely see on your Cappadocia trip. One of the two churches in the monastery is dedicated to the archangel Archangelos and the other to St. Stephen, who is considered the first martyr of the Christian world. Archangelos Church is also called the Black Church because it is covered with soot. On the apse in the church, the last supper, the placing of Christ in the grave, the depictions of the Virgin Mary and Adam and Eve can be seen. St. Stefanos Church is located in a separate rock block. It is also called the Cross of the Church because of the cross on its ceiling.

Sobesos Ancient City is located on the outskirts of Şahinefendi Village, one of the many settlements in Cappadocia. It was discovered by treasure hunters in 2002 and offers a small ancient city dating from the Roman period. This is considered to be the only Roman Antique city in Cappadocia.

Taşkınpaşa Madrasah was built during the period of Karamanoğulları Principality. Although the date of its construction is not known exactly, it is estimated that it was completed in the 13th century. The madrasa is located in Damsa Village, 20 km away from Ürgüp. Taskin Pasha Complex consists of the mosque, the madrasa and the tombs in the courtyard of the mosque.

The Old Greek House was built in the 1800's and the first owner was a Greek artist by the name of Yorha Vasil.The house was sold to the Ozturk family in 1938. For years the Ozturk family used this beautiful place as a home. It was by pure chance that in 1992, the Ozturk family became involved in the restaurant and hospitality business. They converted the Old Greek House into a restaurant and it soon became one of the most celebrated and famous restaurans in Cappadocia.
As their fame grew all through out Cappadocia Old Greek House reached another surprising level of fame. That was the very famous TV show called "Asmali Konak", this show put a spot light on the Old Greek House that was beyond anybodys imagination. The show did not just bring more business for the Ozturk family but to all of Cappadocia. It has now been a long time since the show has ended but the fame of the Asmali Konak lives on.