A bird escapes through an opening of the roof of a Turkish caravanserai. This building was one of many built by the Turkish government every 40-45 km along the Silk Road from China as a resting place and fortress for caravans. Here travelers could buy replacement camels and horses, have their animals treated, and stay for up to three days without payment. The system was paid for by a 10% tax on goods levied upon all caravans as they entered the country.
The unusual cave homes of Turkish Cappadocia, carved into the soft stone by residents since the early Christian times. The soft stone, called tuff, is made of volcanic ash from an eruption some 10 million years ago.
The unusual cave homes of Turkish Cappadocia, carved into the soft stone by residents since the early Christian times. The soft stone, called tuff, is made of volcanic ash from an eruption some 10 million years ago.
The unusual rock formations of Turkish Cappadocia, formed by differential erosion between a top layer of hard rock and a bottom layer of soft stone. The soft stone, called tuff, is made of volcanic ash from an eruption some 10 million years ago.
The crescent moon and star, similar to the Turkish flag, hangs over the mountains of Cappadocia.
A path through a cave in Cappadocia's Rose Valley. The area is known for its cave dwellings and unusual rock formations made from tuff, a soft stone composed of volcanic ash.
A path by a cave in Cappadocia's Rose Valley. The area is known for its cave dwellings and unusual rock formations made from tuff, a soft stone composed of volcanic ash.
A path through a cave in Cappadocia's Rose Valley. The area is known for its cave dwellings and unusual rock formations made from tuff, a soft stone composed of volcanic ash.
A room in Cappadocia's Church of Saint John, a primitive church carved from a soft stone called tuff (made from volcanic ash).
A mule in Cappadocia's Rose Valley. The area is known for its cave dwellings and unusual rock formations made from tuff, a soft stone composed of volcanic ash.
A fairy chimney in the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys, produced by differential erosion between the hard rock on top and the soft rock below.
The exit of a cave home in Cappadocia's Rose Valley. The area is known for its cave dwellings and unusual rock formations made from tuff, a soft stone composed of volcanic ash.
