The relatively soft volcanic tuff that overlies the region of Cappadocia around Nevsehir came from the nearby Mt. Erciyes. This is an extensive region of odd, conic forms of gray-yellow, some topped with off-angle hats, and many more than 15 m high. When the tuff is exposed to air it hardens, making it ideal for people to hollow out rooms of any shape or height, since the walls and ceilings do not need supports. In Turkish these cones have been poetically called Peri Bacalari – Fairy Chimneys.
The Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia are a striking example of how geography and human habitation have worked together, and how geography has influenced people’s imaginations.
