Göreme Historical National Park

 

Location: 15 km (9 mi) East of Nevsehir   Map

Tel. (0384) 271 21 67
Open: 8am- 6pm daily
Winter: 8am- 5pm daily
Best time to visit: May- June, Sept- Oct 
Entrance Fee: TL 25, parking cost TL 5

 

Description

Göreme Historical National Park was a national park located within the borders of Nevşehir province in the Central Anatolia region. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. It was declared a national park by the decision of the Council of Ministers on October 30, 1986, and was removed from national park status on October 22, 2019.

The area of the park is in the Hasan Mountain-Erciyes Mountain volcanic region of Central Anatolia.

Field; It consists of plateaus, plains, small mountain plants, high hills, stream and river valleys filled with alluvium, drainage basins and high plains separated from each other by steep-sided valleys with erosion. The large volcanic cones of Erciyes and Hasan Mountains, a part of the Kızılırmak valley from the north, and eroded tuff beds, some of which are covered with basalt, dominate the land.

Area; It displays an important period in the history of Byzantine Church architecture and religious art within its interesting landscape structure consisting of volcanic tuff. Due to the characteristics of the region, those living here have managed to stay away from the effects of wars and the authority of the central administration.

Its distance from main transportation routes and being a rugged area made it a suitable shelter for those who wanted to hide or went into religious retreat. Monastic life began in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries and spread rapidly. Monasteries, churches, chapels, refectories and monks' cells, warehouses and winemaking areas were carved and decorated with wall paintings.

In addition, the settlements of Ürgüp, Avcılar, Üçhisar, Çavuşin, Yeni Zelve within the field constitute areas that provide historical and natural integrity reflecting the agricultural and village life in accordance with the past culture of the Göreme region. They are protected by UNESCO.

 

Places to visit and see

'Fairy chimneys', which form an interesting landscape structure made of volcanic tuff, are also among the must-see places in terms of exhibiting the history of Byzantine church architecture and religious art.

In addition, the settlements of Ürgüp, Avcılar, Uçhisar, Çavuşin and Yeni Zelve will attract the attention of visitors as they are settlements that reflect the agricultural and village (rural) life in accordance with the past culture of the Göreme region.

Available services and accommodation: The most suitable period for visitors to the park is between 15 March and 15 November.

Tracking (walking) lines have been determined within the park in order to visit both natural and cultural values with a different approach.

Visitors can stay in the many hotels and guesthouses in the Park and nearby settlements.

 

Area

It displays an important period in Byzantine Church architecture and Christian history within its interesting landscape structure consisting of volcanic tuff. Due to the characteristics of the region, the people living here have managed to stay away from the effects of wars and the authority of the central administration.

Its distance from main transportation routes and being a rugged area made it a suitable shelter for those who wanted to hide or went into religious retreat. Monastic life began in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries and spread rapidly. Monasteries, churches, chapels, refectories and monks' cells, warehouses and winemaking areas were carved and decorated with wall paintings.

In addition, within the field, the settlements of Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar, Çavuşin, Zelve constitute areas that provide historical and natural integrity reflecting the agricultural and village life in accordance with the past culture of the Göreme region.

Described above; Göreme's unique geomorphological formation, the visual value of its aesthetic landscape structure and its historical and ethnological structure can be considered as the main topics of the park's resource wealth.

 

Transport

In the parking area; It can be reached by the Ankara-Adana highway in the west and south, by the road from Niğde or Aksaray to Nevşehir, and by the road from Kayseri to Avanos or Ürgüp in the east and northeast.

 

World Heritage List

Göreme and Cappadocia National Park are on the World Heritage List as a natural and cultural asset from 6 December 1985 to 22 October 2019.