Uchisar Caves: A House Carved in Rock

#hellohalloween In the middle of Cappadocia stands a mountain that people have turned into a home. This is Uchisar, a fortress carved directly into the tuff rock. It's the highest point in the region, visible from almost any valley. When you get closer, you realize the rock is alive: it's riddled with windows and passages. Hundreds of people once lived inside. Animals were kept below, families were kept above, and at the top, they hid during raids. Inside is a network of tunnels and rooms. Kitchens, warehouses, wine cellars, dovecotes. Light filters through round openings, the air is cool, and footsteps echo loudly in the stone. It's as if the walls still remember the voices of those who lived here. 📍 Location: Uchisar, Cappadocia, Türkiye. 🕐 When to go: At sunrise or sunset—the light is soft at these times, and from the summit you can see the orbs rising above the valleys. ⸻ How to get there (current as of 2025) 🚶 On foot: From the center of Uçhisar, follow the signs for Uçhisar Castle. Along the way, there are pottery and coffee shops, then the climb begins up the steps. 🚗 By car: Parking is at the foot of the hill, from there it's a walk up. 🎟️ Ticket: ₺320 (approximately $10). Cash or card payment at the ticket office. ⸻ What to see inside: — rooms carved out of the rock with niches, fireplaces, and ventilation holes; — dovecotes and narrow staircases leading to the upper levels; — an observation deck at the top — from here you can see everything: Goreme, the Valley of Love, the Valley of Pigeons, and even the snowy peak of Erciyes.