Turkey/Greece Trip -May 19, 2025 - Cappadocia
Today we survived about 45 minutes in one of the underground cities of Cappadocia. It is difficult to imagine how Christians fleeing persecution could tolerate the dark / humid / close underground quarters for months at a time. Or in even more ancient times Hittites hiding from their conquerors for long periods of time. It was fascinating to see how they managed their animals in the dark underground and how they stored and cooked food. We were yearning for sunshine after less than an hour!
The volcanic geology of Cappadocia makes cave cities and churches possible. The volcanic tuff is easy to excavate and then hardens. We visited the monastery and cave churches of Goreme. These cave structures were used from the early 2nd century all the way through to the 11th and 12th centuries. Sadly, this area will be gone one day because the geological processes of wind and rain that shape the moonscape of Cappadocia are still at work breaking the old tuff mounds and creating new ones.
One of our group said “God is certainly creative” - and that describes this area perfectly. Other worldly in appearance, an excellent example of the variety and wonder of God’s creation.
Tomorrow on to Lystra where the Jewish community attempted to stone Paul and failed and where Paul met Timothy.
Have a blessed day! PB, Margery and Jacob
For more Biblical travel photos and videos visit us at:
Cappadocia: Monastery complex at Goreme, active from 2nd c to 11th c AD.
