Inside the Goreme National Park, also known as the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys, are rock formations that were naturally sculpted millions of years ago by volcanic lava spills and wind and water erosion.
For hundreds of years, the area civilizations had carved homes out of the rocks, many of which have been turned into guesthouses.
St. Paul introduced Christianity to the region in the 1st century A.D. Among the park's major attractions are churches and monasteries that were made within the soft rock formations. Religious paintings also can be found on the rock wall.
There also is an open-air museum that takes you through numerous caves and conical-shaped rock formations. There also is the Dark Church, which has the most preserved religious decorations.
In the park area, lodging choices include sleeping caves, which have been carved out of the soft rock formations. Some sleeping rooms are simply cave-like, while others have built-in bathrooms. All feature windows to the valley.
