Turkey’s Infamous ‘Fairy Chimneys’ Are Open To Tourists For The First Time
Arguably the greatest thing about travel is there’s always something new to discover, no matter how well-explored the land. Some attractions are new editions, while others — like Turkey’s legendary “fairy chimney’s” — open to tourists after forming over the course of millions of years.
Hoodoos, more commonly known as “fairy chimneys”, get their name from local legend, which says the natural structures are in fact enormous chimneys to the houses of fairies living below the earth’s surface. While the area — not to be confused with similar formations in Cappadocia — has always been open to the public, it’s the first time they’ve attracted tourists on a large scale.
The rock formations are mostly found in dry, hot areas and range in size from the height of an average human to a 10-storey building.
They’re caused by volcanic eruptions that occurred millions of years ago, after which layers of ash covering the ground eventually shaped into a soft rock formation. After years of erosion, the tough pillars which now reach into the skies were left behind.
The Narman fairy chimneys boast vibrant red hues caused by the iron oxide sediment.
The area has been UNESCO World Heritage-listed since 2012 and, with the new infrastructure and facilities, is a ring-in for permanency on the list.
According to DailySabah geographer-researcher Serdar Karahan, the site has the potential to attract six million tourists a year, adding that the most beautiful vistas and volcanic landscape can be seen in winter and spring.
(Lead Image: Wikipedia Commons)
