Pigeon Valley

It is a very curious valley with the stories about Pigeon Valley, which is one of the valleys in the Cappadocia region. Cappadocia, where fairy chimneys, valleys, cave houses and colorful hot air balloons await every day, is a place visited by millions of people. The valleys where the rock houses and fairy chimneys are often found are places on your travel list. Other historical, natural and cultural places within the valleys complete this list. During your visits, you will understand that the natural and historical cultural riches in Cappadocia are indescribably beautiful. In this sense, the valleys that must be visited in the region and the secrets in them create excitement for the visitors. Especially Güvercinlik Valley is waiting for you with all its mystery. When you enter the Güvercinlik Valley, the layered dovecotes built on the higher parts draw your attention. Soft tuffs harden as a result of contact with air by carving. Due to this feature, the tuffs in the region were carved to create living spaces for hundreds of pigeons to live safely. These dovecotes we mentioned gave the valley its name.

When it comes to Cappadocia, the first city that comes to mind is Nevşehir. However, Cappadocia is not just Nevşehir. So much so that it covers an area of ​​250 square kilometers in total, which includes big cities such as Aksaray, Niğde, Kayseri and Kırşehir in the region. Although it is not a region administratively, there is a reason why the region has been called Cappadocia for millions of years. The Persians, who established a civilization in the region, named it Katpatuka. Katpatuka, which means the Land of Beautiful Horses, has evolved into Cappadocia today. In other words, as everyone thinks, the name has no meaning with fairy chimneys. Because even this is just a thought. Because the exact information going back to the Persians could not be reached. Nevşehir Güvercinlik Valley is only a small part of the Cappadocia region. However, it is a region seen by 80 percent of visitors to the region. Therefore, it is important for the region. So much so that the activities you will do in the valley where you want to stay in the region or enjoy the scenery make this place stand out.

Pigeon Valley
Cappadocia Pigeon Valley

Where is Pigeon Valley?

Güvercinlik Valley, which is between two important regions of Cappadocia, Uçhisar and Göreme, is seen as a fairy tale land. So much so that its geography, unique landscapes, natural beauties and the activities people do here are a feast of fascinating excitement and beauty. After tens of civilizations and millions of years of evolution, it is one of the rare places that unites the east and the west, where peoples, religions and languages ​​and the cultures of many civilizations blend. For this reason, it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. For this reason, the region’s unique structures, architecture and unique views are the richness of the whole world. Because the region is the place where the first written documents appeared in Turkey. Directions to Göreme Güvercinlik Valley can be obtained via GPS.

  • Uchisar 1 km
  • Urgup 12.9 km
  • Goreme 5.5 km
  • Avanos 13.2 km

In particular, the monastic life, where the foundations of the Christian religion were laid, came to life in Cappadocia. Civilizations that established life in the region, Hittites, Hurrians, Medes, Luwis, Persians, Phrygians, Byzantines and later Seljuks and Ottomans made many works and left traces in this region. These civilizations developed the previous works and a blended cultural entity emerged. Uçhisar and Uçhisar Castle are the terraces of Cappadocia. Since it is located in the highest area of ​​the region, the whole region can be seen from here. In this context, Güvercinlik Valley forms the view of the castle with the sunset. Those who want to see the region from a bird’s eye view should definitely come here. It should be noted that the valley is a very beautiful route for walking alongside the rich vegetation. As a matter of fact, with a distance of about 4 kilometers, the valley walk will be a comfortable route. The valley, which serves as a bridge between Uçhisar and Göreme, can be reached via the Nevşehir-Ürgüp highway via Adnan Menderes Street. Güvercinlik Valley When you reach Uçhisar Castle, you can reach the valley from the right side. The other way can be done from the center of Uçhisar.

Pigeon Valley
Cappadocia Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley Entrance Fee

Güvercinlik Valley, which has an important visitor potential, is a place seen especially in Uçhisar visits to Cappadocia. Moreover, it is one of the must-see places in all four seasons. Tours are organized especially from the city center. Cappadocia daily tours and Cappadocia valley tours are preferred within the scope of organized valley tours . The density is mostly experienced on weekends and holidays. So much so that those who want to enjoy the spring in summer and snow-covered Cappadocia fairy chimneys in winter.Those who want to see it flock to the region. Thus, an important visitor visits this place throughout the year. Güvercinlik Valley is a place that can be visited without an entrance fee. For this reason, you do not need to allocate a budget for this trip. It is possible to reach Uçhisar, which is approximately 5 kilometers from Nevşehir city center, by public transport. In this sense, the last time of those who leave at 07:30 in the morning to return is 19:00. In this way, the Cappadocia Pigeon Valley, which is in its front garden together with Uçhisar, can be visited on a daily basis.

Güvercinlik Valley Walking Route

What makes the Uçhisar Güvercinlik Valley walks easy is that it is short and the necessary warnings here are made with red signs. Warnings created for people who do not know the valley were made for blind and closed places. On the other hand, it is an important route for places that must be visited. While accompanying the beautiful views of the valley, a productive trip will be waiting for you here. Uçhisar Castle is the address for those who want to look at Güvercinlik Valley and its surroundings from the highest part of the region. Because the castle, which you can see from all over the region, also constitutes the most beautiful fairy chimney of the region. Climbing the castle can be a bit of a challenge.

However, the above view starts from Güvercin and covers all the valleys up to Avanos. From here you can see all the must-see places. Especially Ortahisar Castle, Göreme Open Air Museum, Kılıçlar, Kızılçukur, Güllüdere together with Çavuşin, Boztepe, Aktepe and Avanos looks like terraces. You can even see Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan at the same time only from here. If you want to stay here after visiting the valley, there are hotels for your budget. Or if you want to stay in the districts close to the valley; Urgup Hotels , Avanos HotelsThere are many types such as As in every part of Cappadocia, every part of Güvercinlik Valley smells of history. Especially in the spring, those who come here will accompany the beauty and scent of the blooming wildflowers. As a matter of fact, it evokes different excitements in everyone who visits this place. The ruins, monumental cemeteries, churches, chapels, monasteries and underground cities here open the door to a different world. So much so that a geography and atmosphere that you cannot see everywhere welcomes you here. In this respect, Turkey has the most special region.

Pigeon Valley
Cappadocia Pigeon Valley

Places to visit

There are also unknown aspects of the Pigeon Valley in the region. There is also a waterfall in the valley, which brings together its unique nature and beauties. Many people skip this waterfall on their hike and cannot see it. Because most people do not know about this waterfall. The waterfall with a height of 10-15 meters is another natural beauty that fascinates you in the valley. Güvercinlik Valley is located within the borders of Nevşehir, connected to Ürgüp, with the view of Uçhisar Castle. This place has a length of about 4000 meters in a subject close to the settlement center. However, there are no eating and drinking places in the valley. For this reason, you should start the walking route, especially after taking the water and other food products you need for your walk.

Professional tour guides accompany you with the walking routes you will get from the companies in the valley trips. In this way, while you can see the must-see places in the region in the best way, it is also possible to get information about these places. So much so that these companies organize horse and camel tours to visit this region. At the same time, Cappadocia ATV tour , which is indispensable for safari tours, is also held in certain valleys. In addition, bicycle tours are organized for those who love mountain roads. It is also possible to get service with these tours in order to make your trip more fun and efficient. We can recommend HTR Turkey Tours for you to find more service options in this regard.‘type. You can visit the website for more information about it.

Evil Eye Bead Tree

Anatolia carries traces of history. In this sense, wishing trees find a place for themselves in many regions. A wishing tree surrounded by evil eye beads awaits you in the valley. According to regional rumors, it is believed that young girls who want to get married get married by standing under the evil eye tree here. So much so that it is believed that it is effective not only for getting married, but also for fulfilling all wishes. The evil eye bead tree, which has become one of the symbols of the valley, can be preferred for photography. There are people who come here especially for the evil eye bead tree in Güvercinlik Valley.

Pigeon Valley
Evil Eye Bead Tree

Tiğraz Underground Shelter

Another must-visit place in the valley is the Tığraz Underground Shelter. It is the second castle in the region after Uçhisar. There are warehouses, cellars, tunnels and rooms in the shelter. The shelter, known as the castle, was built in seven floors. If you continue after the shelter, you can reach Tekelli Neighborhood with Uçhisar Fountain.

Kocabag Wine House

The rich vineyards of the region and the wines produced here have become trademarks. In this sense, especially foreign guests who come here visit wine houses. Kocabağ Wine House in Uçhisar and Güvercinlik Valley is one of the most famous places of this place. Here you have the opportunity to taste different grape wines and to visit and see the workshop. Do not be surprised by the different weirs at certain points, especially in the eastern part of the water flowing along the valley. There are sluices carved here for the people to wash their clothes. At the same time, the weirs in the region called Esvap Spring are still showing themselves. It should be noted that it causes different experiences, especially in the summer months.

Kocabag Wine House

Shopping Places

There are no shopping places in the valley. However, there are places that sell souvenirs, especially on the road on the valley. Fairy chimneys, statues and magnets, which have become the symbols of Cappadocia, are sold here. At the same time, there are hand-embroidered towels, rugs, carpets and bags made by the women of the region. Small memories that you will take to your loved ones from here are sold at prices that do not strain your budget.

Why Were Pigeons Built?

Cappadocia is seen as a grape paradise. Pigeon manure was used to obtain sufficient yield from these grapes. The tuff and pigeon fertilizers here increase the quality of the grapes and thus the quality of the wines produced from these grapes. The dovecotes built in the region are large enough to accommodate 100 pigeons. At the same time, it was built at high altitudes for the pigeons to be safe. Their front parts are also flattened with egg whites, preventing the emergence of other animals. The dovecotes built on high places in the valley were reached through tunnels carved from the inside. In the prepared rooms, places were made for 4-5 rows of birds to perch and lay eggs and were supported by wooden perches.

There are dovecotes made of cut stones as well as cave dovecotes carved in the region. These are mostly built by putting them on the roof of the place where people live. It is known that pigeon manure, which is the richest fertilizer with its nitrogen content, consists of 20-25% organic substances and contains around 1-2% nitrogen and 0.50-1.5% phosphoric acid. Pigeon manure was used to get more efficiency from vineyards and gardens with such content, and pigeon houses were built for more fertilizer.

Thanks to the natural beauties, Güvercinlik Valley has many places to be used as a camping area. The fact that there is water throughout the valley provides a different beauty and an advantage to camping. You can witness people camping here in four seasons. Especially in the winter months, the camps are the ones that are made with excitement in cold weather. Güvercinlik Valley is located between Göreme and Uçhisar. Especially those who see Göreme National Park want to see Uçhisar Castle, the highest point of which is the terrace of this place. Thus, the Güvercinlik Valley, which is famous for its Pigeon Houses and gives life to the valley with its beauty, is a place that can be seen panoramically. At the same time, the valley, which draws beautiful routes for trekking enthusiasts, is effective in your accumulation of beautiful memories.

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