The landscape of Cappadocia in Middle Anatolia of Turkey was created about 30 million years ago. The ashes, which covered the earth by massive volcanic eruptions became an erosive material called “Tuff Stone”.

Through rain, wind and temperature fluctuations caused in the course of time various forms, such as cones in the stone or the so-called “Fairy Chimneys”, of which former residents of the region believed, that they were inhabited by fairies.

This book includes information and many photographs of the unique volcanic landscape of Cappadocia, underground cities, churches and monasteries from Byzantine Era in Uchisar, Göreme, Zelve, Ortahisar, Ürgüp, Kaymakli, Güzelyurt and other villages. Also documented are the place of pilgrimage Haci Bektas, the archaeological excavation site Kültepe and historical buildings from the time of the Seljuk Turks in Kayseri.

Photographer and author Jens Helmstedt has more than 25 years travel experience in TURKEY. His work includes documentary photography about archeology, history and cultures, geography, nature and ethnography in Istanbul and Anatolia.