The name Cappadocia is as old as the Hittites (2000 – 1200 BC). The Hittites called it Kizzuwatna “below country”, later the Persians named it as Katpatuka referring it to the “land of the most beautiful horses”, the Greek & Romans as Cappadocia. In 12th Century, the Turks did not want to keep the name Cappadocia for the State of Cappadocia and since than, it is only used to describe a region
 
In modern days, Cappadocia is the historical name of the region in Central Turkey, 750km south west of Istanbul and 300 km South of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The actual region which we call Cappadocia covers the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri, Nigde and Aksaray. The area is about 100 square miles, and in the center of it we find Urgup and Goreme.
 
The area owes its geological origins to a trio of volcanic eruptions over 30 million years ago which blanketed the area in a thick layer of ash. Partly overlaid by basalt lava flows, this ash was compressed into a soft, porous rock called tufa, which subsequent erosion by the wind and rain has sculpted into a weird and wonderful landscape of fantastically-shaped turrets, crags and pinnacles.

To add to the improbability of this scene, several thousand years of human occupation have left the countryside riddled with caverns, temples and troglodyte dwellings all hacked from the cream-colored rock. With the arrival of Christianity, Cappadocia developed into an important monastic centre, the legacy of which are hundreds of rock-cut churches, many decorated with frescoes that form an unrivalled record of early Christian art.

Despite its barren appearance this rock also produces fertile soils able to support a variety of crops, including the vineyards which supply the local wine-making industry. However, it is not the traditional activities of agriculture, carpet-weaving or pot making, but tourism which now dominates the Cappadocian economy. Second only to the Sultan Ahmet district of Istanbul in terms of tourist numbers, the area attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its handful of principle sites. Places such as the Goreme Open Air museum, the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are on the itineraries of most visits
For the independent traveler who wants to avoid the crowds, however, there remains plenty else to explore, particularly if you're willing to venture out of the core Nevºehir-Avanos-Urgup triangle or to take to the footpaths which criss-cross the area. This section contains outlines of some popular walks, beyond which the possibilities are enormous.

Evidence of human occupation as far back as the Neolithic Age has been uncovered by archaeologist at several sites in the area. Later it seems that the area was settled by the Hatti, before becoming an integral part of the great Hittite empire which had its capital at Hattuºa. With the decline of Hittite power, the region fell under the influence of various powers before being incorporated into the Persian empire by the tyrant Cyrus the Great.
Alexander the Great stormed through Cappadocia in 333 BC, liberating the region from its Persian masters and clearing the way for the establishment of an independent kingdom with its capital at Mazaca, present-day Kayseri ( The other old name for Kayseri is Cesaree) . This kingdom lasted for over 300 years, until it was finally annexed by the Roman emperor Tiberius. Under the Romans, Cappadocia became a relative backwater far from centres of commerce and trade. This neglect helped to create the right conditions for the rapid development of early Christianity. In the remoteness of the Cappadocian hills, anchorite monks found the solitude they desired in caves and chambers hacked from the tufa. Loose religious communities grew-up and these became more organized, particularly after St Basil set-out his code for monastic life in the 4th century. During the Arab incursions of the 6th and 7th centuries, the Cappadocians did what they'd already been doing for thousands of years, headed underground into subterranean cities to wait until the storm had passed.
Despite the numerous Muslim invaders who crashed through the region on their way west, Cappadocia's Christian population remained largely intact until the beginning of the 19th century when it was finally extinguished by the population exchanges after the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.

St. George (St. Patron of England – born in Cappadocia? )
Throughout Europe in the later middle ages the story of St. George was best known in the form in which it was presented in the Legend Aurea of Bd James de Voragine. William Caxton translated the work and printed it. Therein we are told that St. George was a Christian knight and that he was born in Cappadocia. It chanced, however, that he was riding one day in the province of Lybia, and there he came upon a city called Sylene, near which was a marshy swamp. In this lived a dragon " which envenomed all the country". The people had mustered together to attack and kill it, but its breath was so terrible that all had fled. To prevent its coming nearer they supplied it every day with two sheep, but when the sheep grew scarce, a human victim had to be substituted. This victim was selected by lot, and the lot just then had fallen on the king's own daughter. No one was willing to take her place and the maiden had gone forth dressed as a bride to meet her doom. Then St. George, coming upon the scene, attacked the dragon and transfixed it with his lance. Further , he borrowed the maiden's girdle, fastened it round the dragon's neck, and with this aid she led the monster captive into the city. "It followed her as if it had been a meek beast and debonair." The people in mortal terror were about to take to flight, but St. George told them to have no fear. If only they would believe and be baptized, he would slay the dragon. The king and all his subjects gladly assented. The dragon was killed and four ox-carts were needed to carry the carcass to a safe distance. "Then there well XV thousand men baptized without women and children." The king offered St. George great treasures, but he bade them to be given to the poor instead. Before taking his leave the good knight left behind four behests: that the king should maintain churches, that he should honour priests, that he should himself diligently attend religious services, and that he should show compassion to the poor.
 
St. Basil the Great (329-379).
Founder of Monastic life in Cappadocia. His friend Gregory of Nazianzus gave him that title even while he was still living (Greg. Naz.,Letter 25),and his own brother, Gregory of Nyssa, used it also, after Basil's death in his Life of their sister Macrina. It was their way of distinguishing him from other men of the same name, some of whom, such as Basil of Ancyra, were themselves notable figures. And history has accepted the title - something that has not always happened in similar cases, as for example in that of Gregory the Wonderworker whom Basil himself always called Gregory the Great but who would not today be universally recognized by that name.

Basil of Caesarea, he is also called. And he with the two Gregorys, his friend and his brother, are grouped together as the Cappadocian Fathers. These titles, too, are appropriate. One of Basil's striking characteristics was his sense of place. It is fitting that his places be remembered by their connection with his name.
 
Haci Bektas Veli
He was a mystic, humanist and a philosopher who lived approx from 1248-1337 in Anatolia (Central Turkey- Capapdocia). His teachings had great impact on the Anatolian cultures. Haci Bektas Veli's characters are his humanistic teachings and his mystic personality.

The teachings of Haci Bektas Veli are universal. Mankind is put central in his teachings. On the one hand, a person should live in purity of conscience and feeling. It should be the only motive of mankind. Good deeds, not to lie or not to speak bad are of high virtues: beauty of the man is in the charm of his words. Control your deeds, tongue and desires. Science and ethics are important to understand universe and benefit mankind. Live is a mystery, there are no ready-made answers: find in yourself all that you seek. The path which does not go true science is a dark one.

On the other hand, our coherence with our fellow people, animal beings and nature are of the highest importance. Equality is of the highest importance. Man and women are one: a nation where there is no equality for women cannot progress.
No one should be repressed, self-determination is a right of mankind.

Some other quotes of Haci Bektas Veli are:

• Honored are those casting light to the fountain of tought.
• Blame no nations and humans.
• Do not do to others what you do not want to be done to yourself.
• Do not forget that ever your enemy is a human being.
• Saints are the God's gift to the humanity.
• Ethics are the first vehicle of sage man.
• Do not hurt even if you are hurt yourself.

Mysticism in Bektasi
Beside these humanistic principles that work to the outside world, Haci Bektas Veli is characterized by his mystical life. This is mostly where the western and eastern humanists differ from eachother. The work known as 'Velayet-name' is an important source material for the life and miracles of Haci Bektas Veli. All creatures (in spite of differences of any kind) are the reflections of the 'creator'. Everything is sacred. To accept them, to respect and to love them is to feel the 'creator'. Research is an open-ended exam. Seek and find truth. Patience is the tool for attaining the goal.

Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi (Mawlana, or Mowlana, and Jalal Al-Din, or Jalaluddin)
He  was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, but not a Muslim of the orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. To him and to his disciples all religions are more or less truth. Looking with the same eye on Muslim, Jew and Christian alike, his peaceful and tolerant teaching has appealed to men of all sects and creeds.

Mevlana was born on 30 September 1207 in Balkh in present day Afghanistan. He died on 17 December 1273 in Konya in the South West of Cappadocia in present day Turkey. He was laid to rest beside his father and over his remains a splendid shrine was erected. The 13th century Mevlana Mausoleum with its mosque, dance hall, dervish living quarters, school and tombs of some leaders of the Mevlevi Order continues to this day to draw pilgrims from all parts of the Muslim and non-Muslim world.

Sema represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to "Perfect." Turning towards the truth, his growth through love, desert his ego, find the truth and arrive to the "Perfect," then he return from this spiritual journey as a man who reached maturity and a greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation, to all creatures without discrimination of believes, races, classes and nations.

His famous call:

Come, come again, whoever you are, come!
Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come!
Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are."