This particular part of Turkey is used to transformation. Erosion shaped the incredible landscape of the Goreme valley, but it’s the human element that has made it one of the most interesting places in the country to visit. Nearly 1500 years ago, these cave systems in Cappadocia became a hotbed of secluded monasteries, founded by refugees fleeing Roman religious persecution. Against the rough cave walls, the monks painted frescoes that are still preserved to this day.

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Looking up close, they almost look like an ants nest - most are interconnected, stretching miles within the hillside. Everything exists within the stone; even the stables were in the mountainside. Entire towns thrived here, burrowing almost eight stories underground. Since the first inhabitants made this place their home, they’ve never been abandoned. A handful of locals call the caves their home, and many are converted to boutique hotels for the thousands of tourists who visit the area.