How the Houses of Cappadocia, Turkey Were Formed

The unique geography of Cappadocia, in central Turkey, was shaped by a series of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Volcanoes such as Mount Erciyes, Mount Hasan, and Mount Melendiz covered the region with thick layers of volcanic ash and lava. Over time, these deposits solidified into a soft volcanic rock called tuff (not to be confused with limestone).

Over the following millions of years, wind, rain, and temperature changes slowly eroded the tuff, carving the surreal landscape we see today. The result was a collection of fantastic shapes — fairy chimneys (tall cones topped by harder rock), mushroom-like forms, columns, and spires — spread across valleys with poetic names like Love Valley, Rose Valley, and Red Valley.

Because tuff is soft and easy to carve, early inhabitants began excavating homes, churches, and entire underground cities directly into the rock. These cave dwellings provided excellent natural insulation, staying cool in summer and warm in winter. Many of these homes can still be visited today in places like Göreme, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp, where ancient architecture blends seamlessly with the dramatic volcanic scenery.

Cappadocia’s landscape, formed by fire, wind, and time, remains one of the most extraordinary examples of the interaction between geology and human adaptation in the world.