Pasabag Fairy Chimneys

Pasabag, or Pasha's Vineyard, is located on the Zelve Road between the popular village of Goreme (and the traditional pottery-making community Avanos). The vineyard is dominated by spectacular cone-topped rock pillars called Fairy Chimneys. Pasha was an important Ottoman officer during the capture of the region. Pasabag, more commonly called Monks Valley is a monk refuge that was carved into soft rock cones.

St Simeon, one of many monks who fled Cappadocia to seek refuge, was attracted to the beauty and solitude of the area. He built his home 15m above the ground, in one of the fairy chimneys. Then he climbed down to receive the food and water offerings from his followers. This valley contains many of the monks' excavated homes. Cappadocia was already populated by monks in the 4th century. Monks were able hollow out the soft volcanic material within the pillars to create narrow staircases that led to their cone-shaped shelters. You can climb the stairs to get amazing views of the area and crawl into the rock. You can also visit the abandoned cave homes of hermits and a chapel to St Simeon in the valley.

The Fairy Chimneys of Monks Valley are the most spectacular in the Cappadocia region. Some pillars measure 15 meters high and are split into twin chimneys. Others can support three chimneys. These pillars, which are mushroom-shaped, have been formed by wind and rain on soft rock. However they have come to be known as fairy chimneys. Legends say that they were created by fairies for underground homes.

Monks Valley is just a few kilometers from Goreme. You could combine it with a visit at the Open Air Museum, or a trip in the man-made stone dovecote of Pigeons Valley. Daily Cappadocia Tours can also stop by.