Thursday's Child: Sleeping in a Cave, Cappadocia, Turkey

Thursday, June 5, 2014


We've stayed in some memorable hotels, but one of our most unique accommodations was a cave - that is, a cave hotel. Sacred House in Cappadocia, Turkey was carved from the side of a rock, with good reason. There is historical precedent for cave dwellings in this part of the country.

Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, was a frequent target of foreign armies. The Lydians, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans were just some of the conquering nations. Because the region was so often under siege, and because the early Christians in the area were subject to persecution, Cappadocians soon learned that the safest place to hide was in a warren of caves, where houses, churches and public spaces were all cut out of the rock. Elaborate defences were constructed to allow these cave dwellers to counterattack their aggressors.


Our stay in a cave hotel was a little more comfortable. Although it was unseasonably cool when we visited, our cave lodgings were above the ground, and in a setting that was full of light. The courtyard was framed by medieval art and sculptures, and a gentle snowfall christened it with a fanciful quality. We might have been living in a legend, so ethereal were our surroundings.


Most of the rooms were accessed off the central courtyard and had names that stirred our imaginations. We stayed in "Anka's Lair" (Anka is the Turkish word for phoenix) and the "Old Chapel"; other choices included "Byzantium Treasury" and "Fairies Nest."

One of our best memories of the trip was at bedtime, when I joined the girls in their room and read a chapter from one of their favourite books, Fablehaven. The mythical creatures and fantastic adventures in the book suited the Cappadocian landscape perfectly.

Rock-hewn walls and fabulous bathtubs don't have to be mutually exclusive:




10 comments:

Anonymous said...

such outstanding clicks...we love reading your posts on trips...get to know so much...the first picture with that spectacular statue is a beauty,thanks so much :-)

Angie's Recipes said...

Sleeping in cave...wow..what fun experience! Thanks for sharing, Beth.

Daniela Grimburg said...

What a fantastic travel experience, Beth and so interesting.
The pictures are beautiful and I enjoyed traveling to Turkey with you enormously :)

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

Beautiful pictures.. amazing architecture!

Anonymous said...

A cave hotel. I love it!

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, amazing pictures of an amazing place! What a true blessing to be able to travel to so many interesting places! A cave hotel sounds like quite an adventure to me!

Gloria Baker said...

I know this is an amazing place.
Love these pics!
xo

Mary @ The World Is A Book said...

What a marvelous experience! One of the reasons I desperately want to go to Cappadocia to sleep at a cave hotel. That bathtub is a great surprise. Thanks for the virtual tour!

Beth said...

Knowing the adventures you and your family go on, Mary, I think you'd love it!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful!
Have a lovely day Beth.
:-) Mandy xo

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