Göreme National Park

Göreme National Park is a large area of volcanic rock formations shaped by millions of years of water and wind erosion. The landscape contains valleys with rock pillars, underground settlements, and churches carved directly into the stone.

Early Byzantine communities carved underground settlements and churches into soft volcanic rock starting in the 4th century to shelter from invaders. These structures reveal how early residents adapted natural conditions to create refuge and sacred spaces.

The rock-cut churches throughout the park display Byzantine frescoes with biblical scenes that have served believers as places of worship for centuries. These sacred spaces continue to shape how visitors understand the spiritual character of the region.

The park offers eight different hiking trails with varying difficulty levels from easy to moderate that lead through valleys and past rock formations. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring plenty of water, as the terrain is uneven and exposed to sun.

The park is known for rock pillars locally called fairy chimneys formed by volcanic activity and erosion patterns. These distinctive towers have unusual rounded tops that rise above the valleys in striking formations.