The city in the heart of Türkiye. That means Nevşehir has all the potential of Anatolia: a long history, a shelter of faith, a unique landscape, fertile land and rich local cuisine.
The history of the city dates back to 7.000 CE. It was home to Hittites, Phrygians, Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Seljuks and Ottomans. Nevşehir and Cappadocia region had been an important refuge for early Christians before the religion had been recognized by the Roman Empire. At the 11th and 12th centuries, the Seljuks had taken the control of the region. When Ottoman Empire rule have been established on the land, the province had its current name: “Nev” (means new) and “Şehir” (means city). The name reflects the unique characteristic of Nevşehir: It combines past and future, nostalgic and trendy, but never gets old!
Nevşehir covers most of the Cappadocia with all beauties and history. Göreme Open Air Museum (Göreme Açıkhava Müzesi) has been in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985. Besides its world-famous fairy chimneys, Göreme Open Air Museum is an important place for history lovers with vivid depictions of the biblical scenes, most famously at Karanlık and Tokalı Churches.
Since the region has fertile soil, the local cuisine is rich and tasty too. When it comes to eat, the grapes turn into healthy sweets and wine, pumpkins into desserts and nuts, potteries into cooking pots to cook vegetables and meat in traditional ovens slowly. Clay pot kebab or beans in casserole are the most-favoured tastes of Nevşehir. However, the options are many: Soğanlama, Dolaz, Köftür, Ayva Dolması, Kayısı Dolması. You will try hard to choose which one is best for you!
Nevşehir is also famous for silk production, wool and natural dyed carpets, pottery making and many more handcrafts. You can even try to make your own pottery here.
“Cappadocia” believed to mean “the land of beautiful horses”. This in itself is the key to the myriad potential possibilities for exploring and experiencing this fantastic land, from riding to cycling, from exploration to sumptuous cuisine, no matter what the season or time of year it is, this fantasy land has something to stimulate, captivate and invigorate the senses.