In summer 2007, photographer Milan Radisics travelled to Turkey to take pictures in the rock site of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country's most important tourist centres. The result was a series of stunning nature photography. “I was really impressed with Cappadocia in terms of natural stone formations and of course in terms of history. The area gave me the feeling of being on a different planet, but the directness and kindness of its people put me back to the feeling that I was nonetheless walking on the earth.”
These fascinating rock formations and green valleys located in Central Anatolia give the impression that they are from another planet and another time.
Much of the soil in Cappadocia contains remnants of consolidated volcanic ash, also known as tuff, from the Erciyes (ancient Argeus) volcano. It hardens when it comes in contact with air, but softens when it is wet. As a result, numerous dwellings, luxury hotels, and natural cold air depots intended to keep fruit and vegetable fresh, are still constructed in this region by carving into the wet tuff rocks.
With its many unique geological, historical and cultural features, Cappadocia is a must-see for visitors. Its inimitable rock formations, to which locals refer to as “fairy chimneys”, have been shaped over time as wind and rain have eroded the layers of consolidated volcanic ash. Due to its spectacular landscape, unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period, and remains of a traditional human habitat dating back to the 4th century, the area was included in UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
“So far, I've been to Cappadocia for short stays, but next time I plan to spend several weeks there to capture the full diversity of this memorable area,” says Milan Radisics.
History
The fertile Anatolian lands that spread like a bridge between Asia and Europe have been home to many civilizations. Cappadocia, in the middle of this bridge, has embraced a variety of cultures. The first populations of the region were Hatties, Luvies and Hittites. In the 3000-2000 years B.C. Assyrians established trade colonies in the region. Over the years, the beautiful and fertile lands were cause to war and suffering, as well as a source of life. Even today Cappadocia contains several underground cities, which offered hundreds of people shelter in times of turbulence.
The Land of the Beautiful Horses
The name Cappadocia (cappa tuchia) means “Beautiful Horses” in the now-defunct Hittite language. During the reign of the Hittites, the region became known for its horses and horse-breeding farms.
When Cappadocia was captured by Ashurbanipal, the last great king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire (668-626 B.C.), the King of Thabal sent his daughter and other gifts as tribute. However, Ashurbanipal declined these offerings and asked for the famous Cappadocian horses instead.
According to the 1st century geographer Strabo, the Cappadocians sent at least 1500 horses to the Persian King and his son Xerxes, enhancing the military might of the Persians.
When Alexander the Great fought the Persians in the battle at Granicos, Cappadocian horsemen were among his opponents. In 190 B.C., the Cappadocians sent 2000 horsemen to help Antiochus, the King of Syria, in his battle against the Romans.
The fame of the Cappadocian horses continued through Roman and Byzantine times. But at some point in history, the splendour of horse-breeding faded away.
“Those beautiful people have left, riding those beautiful horses,” says one of the characters in the novel Mehmed my Hawk by the contemporary Turkish author Yashar Kemal. The melancholic sentence is a tribute to the end of the Ottoman order in Turkey, describing the departure of the well-groomed “Bey”s (Lords) during the first decades of the Republic of Turkey. The same is valid for Cappadocia as well.
